Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

New law 'not a licence to kill', says minister

A new law giving homeowners the right to protect their family and property from intruders using ‘reasonable force’.

THE MINISTER for Justice has warned people that a new law regarding the use of reasonable force against intruders cannot be used as an excuse to attack someone.

Alan Shatter was speaking to Newstalk Breakfast as a new law giving homeowners the right to defend themselves, their families and their property against intruders in their own home comes into effect today.

The legislation concerns the use of ‘reasonable force’, which the minister described as force that’s in proportion to the threat someone perceives they are under. The level of  force would depend on the individual circumstances.

“It’s not a licence to kill anyone,” the minister added.

‘Insufficient safeguards’

Mark Kelly, director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), has criticised the legislation, saying its provisions “contain insufficiently robust legal safeguards to protect the right to life of householders or intruders”.

Kelly said yesterday that the law “encourages people to use lethal force to defend their property” and that the law is at odds with Article 2 (right to life) of the European Convention on Human Rights which he says “obliges the state to ensure that lethal force can only be used if absolutely necessary and strictly proportionate in all the circumstances.”

The Criminal Law (Defence and Dwelling) Act 2011 comes after intense debate over the use of force in self-defence following the death of John Ward in Co Mayo. He died after being shot while trespassing on the property of farmer Padraig Nally in October 2004.

Nally was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to six years, but his conviction was overturned on appeal after the court accepted he had not been permitted to use self-defence as an argument at his trial.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
49 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hughiealonso
    Favourite Hughiealonso
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 6:16 PM

    Can’t stand the tagline ‘don’t cook, just eat’. Cooking is being looked down upon when it’s much cheaper, tastier and better for you. People need to be educated about cooking from a young age.

    248
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute skeyes
    Favourite skeyes
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 7:52 PM

    You work hard, you play hard…sometimes you wanna just eat! No guilt necessary!

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kennedy
    Favourite Alan Kennedy
    Report
    Mar 18th 2015, 9:51 AM

    I love cooking, but I also love justeat.

    I really don’t think a website service or a tagline is going to make much difference to lazy unmotivated fatties who can’t be bothered cooking.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thefunnyman
    Favourite thefunnyman
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 6:23 PM

    Isn’t technology fantastic,if you touch your phone in the right place a pizza will arrive at your front door.

    230
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Sullivan
    Favourite Joe Sullivan
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 11:31 PM

    They take 25 percent and dont pay for two months. Takeaway owners are leaving them in large nunbers. This is more rubbish concealed advertising by the journal and a paid poster above.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bilbo Baggins
    Favourite Bilbo Baggins
    Report
    Mar 18th 2015, 7:58 AM

    They take 11%

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ohaimhirghin
    Favourite ohaimhirghin
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 6:27 PM

    Just back for mc Sh”t in maynooth. Tried one of those new quarter pounder burgers. Horrific is all I can say. Should have brought it back in,but like most irish people I just said I won’t be coming here again.

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor McEneaney
    Favourite Conor McEneaney
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 6:09 PM

    Anyone else notice this new thing where eating copious amounts of fast food is seen as “manly” and a thing of respect? It seems to be common in young males, such as college students, etc.

    There is nothing manly about eating bacon sandwiches everyday or ordering takeaway food more than once a week. In fact, it’s usually just overweight nerds looking for quick release endorphins.

    Not to mention if you indulge in food like this often, you are gluttonous and therefore by default, evil.

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Geraghty
    Favourite David Geraghty
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 7:02 PM

    Someone get this fella a snickers

    195
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ben Redline
    Favourite Ben Redline
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 10:10 PM

    Take a bow David – that was a classic

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Terry O'Dowd
    Favourite Terry O'Dowd
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 11:58 PM

    I hate everything and everyone too.
    Can I get some green thumbs, please?

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gash
    Favourite Gash
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 6:29 PM

    Starving

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mcgoo
    Favourite mcgoo
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 6:24 PM

    I avoid any place I see their sign tbh

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pádraig O'hEidhin
    Favourite Pádraig O'hEidhin
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 5:47 PM

    Pig food

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pauliebhoy
    Favourite Pauliebhoy
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 5:52 PM

    You can’t order through here Padraig , you need to download the Just Eat app and search for Pig Food, best of luck .

    401
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pádraig O'hEidhin
    Favourite Pádraig O'hEidhin
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 5:54 PM

    You’re funny.

    21
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sam
    Favourite Sam
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 7:03 PM

    Haha paulie well done on that one

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Galvin
    Favourite James Galvin
    Report
    Mar 18th 2015, 10:16 AM

    As former Just-Eat.ie MD, I am not surprised by these results in Ireland. I left in 2011, but as of May this year I am launching a rival http://www.Marvin.ie which will be fairer to both restaurants and customers. Restaurants will only be charged 7% instead of 12% and consumers can earn FREE meals based on a coffee-shop loyalty reward system. I am here to compete and I would love to show Just-Eat that they are not untouchable.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Galvin
    Favourite James Galvin
    Report
    Mar 18th 2015, 10:17 AM

    *Like a coffee shop loyalty reward system

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shanti
    Favourite Shanti
    Report
    Mar 18th 2015, 8:29 PM

    Best of luck!

    2
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiyoyo
    Favourite Fiyoyo
    Report
    Mar 21st 2015, 10:02 AM

    Any app for this or just a website

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Voteno Voteno
    Favourite Voteno Voteno
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 5:59 PM

    Hi ciaran
    Welcome to the journal

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Walsh
    Favourite Shane Walsh
    Report
    Mar 17th 2015, 6:09 PM

    Cianan?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aurelio Mizzoni
    Favourite Aurelio Mizzoni
    Report
    Mar 18th 2015, 1:10 AM

    Thy take 12% and pay every 2weeks stil a lot of cash for small corner shops

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maurice
    Favourite Maurice
    Report
    Mar 18th 2015, 6:03 PM

    Eating shit food is an unfortunate part of Irish culture. Lard-ass mentality.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds