The Tánaiste has said there are “too many examples of people who are given relatively short sentences” for what he described as “heinous crimes”, reports RTE.
Harris, named by many on social media as ‘Top Gun’, wants to consult with the Minister for Justice over the matter.
Simon Harris said he plans to engage with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan on sentencing practices for those convicted of offences involving child sexual abuse material, reports RTE.
Speaking as he arrived at this morning’s Cabinet meeting, Mr Harris said that limitations on prison capacity should not influence sentencing decisions or the granting of bail.
Asked about cases where people have received suspended sentences for possession of child sexual abuse material, Mr Harris said: “We need to take a very, very serious approach here and use all of the tools at our disposal to make sure we keep our children safe,” reports RTE.
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He added: “It is absolutely sickening. It goes against every fibre in our being when we see anybody engaging in such depraved crimes against children not meeting the full rigours of what I think Irish people expect in relation to justice. I’ll certainly talk to the Minister for Justice in relation to what the most effective way is in taking this forward,” reports RTE.
On proposed reforms to bail laws currently being examined by Mr O’Callaghan, Mr Harris said there is a need to also “deal with prison capacity in relation to that too”.
He said: “If you look at it purely from a demographic point of view – without wishing to increase the percentage of people in prison – that the population has grown so significantly at a time when prison capacity hasn’t grown. We are going to need to increase prison capacity. We’re hearing too many examples of people who are given relatively short sentences and not serving at all,” reports RTE.
He added: “No doubt, even at a subconscious level, that must have an effect on some of the decisions being made by the court if they are aware that there isn’t adequate prison capacity. A lack of prison capacity should never be a reason that in any way interferes consciously or subconsciously in relation to the sentencing or the granting or not granting of bail,” reports RTE.
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