Stricter Sentencing Laws Proposed Under New Justice Plan

Monday, 28 March 2022 16:47

By Caoimhe Harney

The new laws would allow Judges to decide minimum tariffs.

Judges could soon be allowed to decide minimum tariffs when handing down life sentences.

It's part of the Justice Plan for 2022, which will explore allowing judges to decide how long someone spends in prison before they can apply for parole.

It would mean that Judges could be allowed impose minimum sentences of 20 or 30 years in murder cases.

As things stand, anyone given a life sentence for murder can apply to the parole board after 12 years.

The plans have been described as 'momentous' by families of murder victims.

John Whelan, whose sister Sharon and her daughters Zarah and Nadia were killed in a fire in 2008, says it's what many families have asked for:

More from National News

Kildare Ministers Martin Heydon And James Lawless Declare Rental Income In 2025

Fianna Fáil's Kildare South TD, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, declared ownership of a house in Fennor
IFA Plan Large Protest This Saturday In Newbridge

Over 800 farmers are expected to stage a protest outside Minister of Agriculture Martin Heydon's Constituency Office
Gardaí Say 'Current' Phase Of Searches Linked To Missing Deirdre Jacob And Jo Jo Dullard Have Ended

Gardaí have confirmed that while active searching at the location has paused, a further technical and forensic assessment of the site is continuing
Former US Soldier, Michael Kelley, Charged In Connection With Death Of Kerry Man Michael Gaine

The 56-year-old farmer was reported missing last March - human tissue found on his farm nearly two months later was confirmed to be his
Father Punched In Head And Child Pushed To Ground During Newbridge Assault

During the altercation, the child was pushed to the ground.
Education Officials Insist Damning Celbridge Primary School Findings Require "Peer Review"

Audio

Two independent reports completed last year and seen by Kfm News warned the school’s long-standing modular building shows widespread deterioration, including structural issues and fire safety concerns.
€20k–€30k Bill Raises Doubts Around Introducing A Video Archive Of Kildare Council Meetings

Councillor Claire O’Rourke has called for the council to create a webcast library of meetings on its website, arguing it would strengthen transparency and allow people who cannot watch live - including workers and carers - to follow key decisions.
Gardaí Target Nigerian-Based Crime Gang In Series Of Raids, Including Kildare

The gang has previously been described by Interpol as a key player in cyber-enabled financial fraud and various online scams.