Absolutely spot on. It really boils my arse when people constantly complain about our police force. The do gooders in this country have gotten the police force they looked for.

Good for you T.J.D. like I’ve said before it would only happen here as it seems there is no law and order for these thugs.

I can assure you dermot I am not on their side!

Judging by the red thumbs I touched a raw nerve with a few people by mentioning the licensing laws. Could it be that the Irish have a problem with drink or am I way off the mark? I will stand by and await the barrage!

How do the licensing laws regulate the off license.. Pubs must keep orderly premises. No mention of what is purchased in the ever growing off trade. The whole below cost selling and cheaper imported drink needs looking at objectively .

There are laws to protect front line workers Thomas. The matter which was under discussion was mandatory sentences. I won’t get into the pros and cons of that but suffice to say there are good arguments for and against.

I’d love to know the arguments against?

Goodman Robert, I presume you mean Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994?! The fact that Section 19(6) only covers Gardaí, Prison Officers and Defences Forces members is one thing. Another would be to know how many persons have been prosecuted under this Section since its introduction. Then you can tell me about minimum sentences “cons”.

You appear to have misinterpreted my comment as some form of argument against mandatory sentencing but you should consider do they work. I have commented on this in the context of drugs legislation and the commonplace antipathy which the judiciary has towards mandatory sentences speaks volumes. Of course I cannot tell you how many people have been prosecuted under the relevant section but I’m sure the courts service could tell you if you contact them.

the only aurgument against a mandatory jail term form the present government is MONEY.
they know it will increase prisons so wont pass it.

It might be no harm for the guards to start handing out a little punishment if their own, no respect out there anymore. Too many do gooders and bleeding hearts out there for my liking. Just my opinion is all.

You will find they generally do hand out severe sentences for this. You will rarely see a suspended sentence. As for what the arguments against a mandatory sentence might be there are potentially many. No discretion,and no particular evidence that they deter,as the drugs laws show. People need to consider the issue whether these sentences will deter. All I say is they might not. Dare I say that the root cause of the problem may lie in the licensing laws.

Robert Coonan
I have to disagree with you there , see this link
http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/03/15/manhunt-as-co-donegal-garda-killer-escapes-from-prison/
and the Garda was killed R I P. ….

I was in Cork city on Monday and witnessed 4 gardai being abused by a foreign national who was completely out of it with drink. Now we have law in this country that you can’t consume alcohol in a public place what I’d like to know is why is it not being enforced. If a foreign national is found to be drunk and disorderly he should be summoned with a breach of the peace and like other country’s if he’s not a member of the E.E.C. should be sent back to where he came from. The Garda are paid for to protect an serve out communities not to be abused by thugs. Dinny

Would you have felt less revulsion if it was an Irish person? And it’s been quite a while since anyone was in the E.E.C.

Oh – A “foreign National” hey?!? :-/

Hang him so…. :-/

Lots of daily mail types around today.

Banjo music!

I sometimes wonder do the red thumbers understand sarcasm at all?!?

I was thinking the same thing. It was the same in the British tabloids after the “Girl Cops” were shot.

should probably read four gardai injured in pub…..no idea why only the female garda was used for the headline

doh! the 3 guys weren’t guards

In fairness, that’s all that’s known. The Guards in Rathfarnham are saying nothing more.

The castle I believe!

More hassle in the castle so!

jeez apologies for asking a question red thumbers!

Am I right in saying they were members of a certain community who seem to be governed by a law of their own??

all of the points i made are still correct…..but thanks for the update