Sentencing Policy
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-14
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

It is a complicated issue. Sentencing is complicated. When we discuss it here the emphasis is hugely on the situation of the victim, as it should be. For too long in Ireland the victim did not get the recognition in the criminal justice process. However, a court also has to take into account the individual circumstances of the convicted person. That can be complicated and sometimes evidence of that convicted person - the offender - is necessary. How should that evidence be given? I certainly do not think it is appropriate for that evidence to be just a handwritten note or somebody who does not know the person that well providing that evidence. That is evidentially useless. If somebody wanted to give evidence and say this conviction was out of character, that they have known this person for 20 years and that there were circumstances behind it, then that should be done under oath.
I do not want to give the Deputy a commitment today about introducing legislation to that effect but it is something I will give consideration to.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-14/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:56+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-14