Arsonists Should Be Given Life Imprisonment, Similar to Rapists And Murderers - James Lawless TD.

Thursday, 8 February 2024 at 15:35

By Martin Osborne

Speaking to KFM, Lawless said arson is one of the crimes where a life sentence can be given.

Arsonists should be given the same sentences as murderers, those who commit rape and individuals involved in organised crime.

That's according to Kildare North TD James Lawless.

His comments came following an arson attack in the early hours of yesterday morning on Honeywood, a vacant seven bed bungalow on the Celbridge Road in Leixlip.

There were rumours the property was to be used to accommodate asylum seekers; the Department of Integration, however, has confirmed the building was not being considered.

Gardai say they told protesters at the house that it wasn't going to be used to accommodate asylum seekers, but they were not believed.

A forensic examination is continuing at the bungalow, which was burned out in an arson attack in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Speaking to KFM, Lawless said arson is one of the crimes where a life sentence can be given.

He said often there's a political reaction to say "we need harsher sentences but the laws, if enforced as they are, would be strong enough".

He said life is the longest sentence you can get, similar to incidents of rape, murder and organised crime.

He has invited both the Justice Minister and Garda Commissioner to a PAC meeting.

He said around 10 people have been arrested for up to 26 incidents and that we haven't seen any court cases yet.

He said questions such as, 'Where are the investigations at?' 'Do Gardai have enough resources?' and 'What approach is being taken?' need to be asked.

He said arson "is one the most serious offences on the Statute books" and the consequences need to be made clear.