Mandatory sentencing should be introduced for knife crime. The judiciary are the problem here when it comes to sentencing. There is no deterrent to stop these animals destroying our streets.

The problem is that the jails are at bursting point. They have people behind bars that should be out on meaningful community service (TV licence evaders, fines evaders, petty criminals – get them removing graffiti, clearing up after vandalism, painting old-folks homes etc.). Put these vermin in jail and make victim impact awareness a mandatory part of sentencing. Also, if alcohol and/or drugs are cited as mitigating factors, treatment therapy should be a mandatory part of the sentence. *Cue a flash flood of red-thumbs from the hand-wringers*

U are 100% right, Cecily J.Hoare.

Best wishes to her & I hope she’s ok.
Unfortunately the key reasons why scum get away with these attacks is 1) Gardaí are too busy dealing with other drunken disorderly matters, 2) inadequate laws prevent the Gardaí from using any real control, and 3) our finances don’t allow for appropriate policing & support services.
Everybody needs to get ready for the wave of “scum” activity. The next budget (regardless of intention) is going to have a major negative affect on this situation. The government (of whom I’m no great fan!) can only do so much with the finances available.
This country (like many others) doesn’t need a revolution, it needs a wake up call, it needs a kick in the ass!
Our society needs to stop bitchin at the powers that be about what we know is wrong & realise that the only way to have an acceptable standard of living & a country to be proud of again is to A) fight crime with crime & beat scum with a vigilante method – which automatically feels right & justified upon 1st instinct but can obviously go too far & again seperates society due to controversy & previous experience (in the past all you had to do was simply point a gun. Nowadays you’d need to pull the trigger), or B) help & assist our support services – country wide, village by village, town by town, etc as concerned citizens forming registered patrol groups to visibly patrol their own neighbourhood in pairs 24/7, each person in constant contact with another, there to report any possible activity & to reassure “scum” that they can feel secure as we’ll watch their back & everyone else’s so they can feel safe (& not get away with scumbagology!).
This can be done by understanding the law, knowing what we can & can’t do to help, & having a clear & simple procedure to achieve our goal (to have a supportive community & safe neighbourhood). How many of us are out of work or want to bring the dog for a walk or need some simple exercise like doing a few laps of their estate? Availability & manpower is not an issue. If you’re not prepared to DO something then stop bitchin.
This is REAL neighbourhood watch.
This IS standing up for your rights.
Irish people should never bow down to the “scumbags” who live around us.

This is MY country.
This is OUR country.
Stand up for yourself & for your country as proud people have done before.

Agreed. The Jervis stop Tallaght bound side is very dark, manky & can b sinister at times. Plenty of junkies & beggars at that stop. Much more lighting is needed, I think. Poor girl. Hope she recovers.

Well said Dermot!!!!!

Not really sure about thumbs down – it’s a fact, not an opinion :)