A Fianna Fáil MEP has called for an end to the temporary release of burglars who are repeat offenders. 

Ireland South representative Cynthia Ní Mhurchú described burglary as a “particularly insidious crime” that had a “deep psychological effect” on the victims. 

Ms Ní Mhurchú said new figures released to her by the Courts Service of Ireland had revealed that repeat offenders are responsible for a “disproportionate” number of burglaries.  

“If we look at the District Court, there were 1,771 burglary cases before the District Court involving about 1,187 individuals,” she told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“In other words, more burglary cases than individuals involved.

“And this highlighted to me the level of a repeat, multiple offending. 

“And a similar pattern then emerged for me, lo and behold, in the Circuit Court; where 729 burglary cases were tried over the same period, but they were committed by far less offenders, 529.” 

A burglar forcing entry into a home. Picture by: Rafael Classen rcphotostock.com/Pexels Images. 

Ms Ní Mhurchú commended the Government for “introducing tougher laws in relation to sentencing” but urged them to go further and restrict temporary release.  

“I really do think we need to have no more temporary release for the offence of burglary because it’s way too serious,” she argued. 

“It should be taken as a very serious crime; temporary release, of course, has to be invoked for ease of the system and that’s it’s not bursting at the seams.

“But at the same time, I think there's got to be a rethink by the prison authorities to prioritise the seriousness of this crime.”

Main image: A burglar breaking into a property. Picture by: Chris Rout / Alamy Stock Photo