Sentencing for garda murder
Senator Keane raises concerns about the possible release of a man convicted of murdering a garda and argues that policy should ensure punishment reflects such crimes; the Chair rules the specific case out of order.
I want to raise the issue of a Supreme Court decision yesterday and to pose a question to the Minister for Justice and Equality. A death sentence was imposed on Noel Callan in 1985 following a robbery in Ardee in County Louth. The death penalty was commuted to 40 years and yesterday's judgment means that this man may be considered for release. The head of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has said it is going to petition-----
Comment on this
Can I rephrase it another way? There was policy in Ireland that we had a death sentence for capital murder, and when this person's sentence was commuted that policy changed, as the sentence was lessened. I do not know if the Minister for Justice and Equality makes policy that covers the murder of a garda. If a person murders a garda, the punishment should fit the crime. Our gardaí are on the streets every day and they take chances for us. We should make sure there is a policy in place to ensure the punishment fits the crime. I am not talking about any particular crime or incident, but in general we have to know the policy. I am asking for a statement in that regard. If a garda is murdered, what will be done about it? Will a 40-year sentence mean 40 years?