Minimum tariff for murder
Deputy O'Dea called for judges to be able to impose minimum prison terms for particularly heinous murders. The Minister said the Justice Department was examining the issue and there may be merit in considering a minimum tariff.
As the Minister will be aware, last week, Jozef Puska was convicted of the murder of Ashling Murphy. In common with other people convicted of murder in this country, this individual will be able to apply for parole in 12 years. Ten years has elapsed since the Law Reform Commission recommended that in murder cases, the trial judge should be given power to impose a minimum period of incarceration. From reading its report, it is obvious that the commission had in mind especially heinous cases, such as this one and the case of my constituent Kevin Sheehy, who was murdered in an equally heinous manner, the aftermath of which was very badly handled by the State. Does the Government accept the recommendation of the Law Reform Commission and does it intend to implement it? If so, when will it do so.
Comment on this
I will have to ask the Minister for Justice to revert directly to the Deputy. I am aware work is under way in the Department of Justice in respect of that matter. Certainly, it is my view, and I think it is also the Minister for Justice's view, that in certain cases of particularly heinous crimes, there is merit in considering the idea of a minimum tariff.