Sligo Council back calls for minimum three year sentence for those guilty of work tool theft

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Sligo County Council is to write to Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan following a motion proposed by Cllr Dara Mulvey calling for the local authority to show its support for greater punishment for those found guilty of the theft of work tools.

Cllr Mulvey’s motion states, “The proposed amendment to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 would impose mandatory minimum custodial sentences for serious thefts of work equipment that directly deprive individuals of their ability to earn a living and the need for the bill to be reformed would be welcomed especially by electricians, plumbers, carpenters, other tradespeople, and small businesses.

The motion stresses the need for a minimum three year sentence for those involved in the theft of work tools, stating, “Tradespeople live and work in every community and always provide great services to those who need it. They deserve as much support as possible. Under the proposed legislation, where an adult is convicted of theft, burglary aggravated burglary, robbing or handling stolen property of work equipment, a court would be required to impose a minimum sentence of three years imprisonment and tat the sentence may not be suspended beyond 18 months. The theft of tools and work equipment isn’t a victimless crime. For tradespeople, contractors and sole traders these thefts can shut down their ability to work instantly.”

Cllr Mulvey’s motion was supported by Cllr Paul Taylor who said, “It is very low that somebody can do that. If an example is made it might curtail it.”

Cllr Marie Casserly also gave her backing to the motion saying, “This is a very worthwhile motion,” adding that, “People are also buying these tools. If there was no market they wouldn’t be worth stealing. Everybody has a responsibility. The tools cost a lot of money, it must be heartbreaking.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.