Senator Seeks Mandatory Jail Terms For Tool Theft

Wednesday, 5 August 2026 12:30

By Tara Flanagan

Proposed legislation follows a series of thefts, including incidents reported in Naas and Monasterevin.

A Fine Gael Senator is calling for tougher penalties for tool theft following a number of recent incidents in Kildare and elsewhere across the country.

Senator PJ Murphy said thefts reported in Naas and Monasterevin, along with incidents in Limerick, Dublin and Donegal, highlight the impact the crime is having on tradespeople and small businesses.

The Senator is urging the Oireachtas to progress legislation that would introduce a minimum three-year prison sentence for offences involving the theft, burglary, robbery or handling of stolen work equipment.

In recent months, Gardaí have investigated several tool thefts nationwide. They include the theft of power tools from work vans in Limerick, the recovery of an estimated €100,000 worth of electrical tools near a construction site in Dublin 18, and reported thefts in Naas and Monasterevin.

Senator Murphy said tool theft is not simply a property crime but one that can leave tradespeople unable to work.

He said many workers have lost thousands of euro worth of equipment, missed weeks of work and faced increased insurance costs after having their tools stolen.

The legislation passed Second Stage in the Seanad earlier this year. Senator Murphy is now calling for it to progress through the Oireachtas without further delay.