Woman forced to leave her Mayo home 'due to devastating impact of burglary'

There are major issues with burglaries and thefts in rural communities, Mayo TD Paul Lawless has stated.

He elaborated: "I know families who have been terrorised by burglaries. There have been sprees of burglaries in certain areas.

"I know of a woman who was living on her own in County Mayo but will no longer go back to that independent living, such is the devastating impact of the burglary of her property.

"The suggestion here is that these people may be given community service orders and I think this is a very worrying move.

"We must be tough on crime. We must ensure that when individuals perpetrate crimes that have such damaging and lasting consequences on their fellow citizens, they experience the full wrath of the law.

"Burglary and coming into someone's home has a devastating impact. If we are going to move in this direction, we are ultimately going to facilitate such aspects.

Community service orders have a place but the conditions must be incredibly strict."

Deputy Lawless has outlined his opposition to community service penalties for repeat offenders, as proposed in new government legislation.

He outlined: "When this story broke, families across County Mayo were shocked. They could not believe it.

"The consequences may be significant for the Garda Síochána as well. Garda morale is already low and we need to protect and enhance it.

"If a garda spends a huge amount of time and resources prosecuting a criminal for a burglary at a house, and sees that a lady who was living on her own is terrorised and will not go back to that home, and then the judge turns around and sends him to the local Tidy Towns, that is a very worrying legislative provision.

"I want to see a provision that ensures this will not be an option for repeat offenders.

"Free legal aid also needs to be looked at for repeat offenders. First, free legal aid is not free. It costs the taxpayer.

"In 2024, it cost the taxpayer €113 million. For repeat offenders, free legal aid should be taken from their social welfare. It is only right and proper.

"It is quite incredible to think that an individual who shows blatant disregard for the laws of the land can find themselves in front of a judge ten, 20, 30, 100 or 200 times, and each and every time they can avail of free legal aid without any cost to that individual. That is wrong. We must be tough on crime."