11/06/2013

Law Reform Commission Call For Review Of Minimum Terms

Murder convictions should continue to carry a mandatory life sentence, with judges allowed to specify a minimum sentence term, the Law Reform Commission has recommended.

The recommendation is amongst a number made in the commission's report on mandatory sentencing, due to be published today (Tuesday).

Alongside advocating judges being allowed to determine a minimum term for murderers, the commission has recommended repealing the established minimum terms for drug offences, saying that those involved in the illegal drugs had adopted their practices to the sentencing standards.

They claim that this has lead to an increase in low-level offenders, such as couriers who hold or transport drugs, being jailed, while those at the top, remain in business.

The full report from the Law Reform Commission will be published later today.

(MH/CD)


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