Thurles Information

Maximum jail sentences for those using knifes and other identified offensive weapons increased.

It was announced today (Monday) that a Commencement Order has been signed under the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 which will increase the maximum sentences for knife related offences, with effect from September 30th, 2024.

The Commencement Order gives effect to Part 9 of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024, which amends the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 to increase the maximum penalties for the following offences under that Act:

1. Section 9(5) offence of possession in a public place of an article intended to cause injury to, incapacitate or intimidate a person: increased from 5 years to 7 years.
2. Section 10 offence of trespass with a knife, weapon of offence or other article which has a blade or sharp point: increased from 5 years to 7 years.
3. Section 11 offence of production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury: increased from 5 years to 7 years.
4. Section 12 offence of manufacture, importation, sale, hire or loan of prescribed offensive weapons: increased from 7 years to 10 years.

These changes in the law follow recommendations from the knife crime sub-group of the Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour, established in 2020, with first chaired meeting only taking place on September 29th 2021.
Four sub-groups have now been established by the Forum to consider the specific issues of the misuse of scramblers and quadbikes, knife crime, responses to Anti-social behaviour (ASB) impacts on housing complexes managed by Local Authorities (LA) or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), and the powers available to An Garda Síochána in relation to public order offences.
Members of the Forum are drawn from a number of State agencies, including An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service and key Government Departments, as well as a broad representation of community, business, academic and other experts.

This new order is seen as long overdue.

• Nationwide awareness-raising campaign to warn against danger posed by illegal fireworks and strict penalties misuse
• Fines up to €10,000 and 5 years’ imprisonment applying for having fireworks in possession with intent to sell or supply, or if convicted or throwing an ignited firework at a person or property
• Campaign launched in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, Foróige, the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, and Dublin Fire Brigade

Yesterday saw the launch of a nationwide awareness raising campaign, warning against the serious dangers posed by illegal fireworks and the strict penalties for their misuse.

The campaign was launched at Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park; in collaboration with Foróige, the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Fire Brigade service and An Garda Síochána.

This year’s campaign continues to emphasise the physical danger and emotional distress caused by illegal fireworks in our local communities and emphasise the serious penalties that can be imposed, with fines of up to €10,000 and 5 years’ imprisonment applying, for being in your possession of fireworks with intent to sell or supply, or if convicted of throwing an ignited firework at any person or property.

In addition to the awareness raising work in the run up to Halloween 2024, additional efforts are being made by An Garda Síochána to combat the illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks, which is known as ‘Operation Tombola’.

‘Operation Tombola’ combats the importation, sale and distribution of illegal fireworks, through intelligence led operations; visits to local car boot sales; searches and seizures of fireworks, as well as focusing on preventing associated public disorder and anti-social behaviour, through the incremental deployment of resources.

Speaking at the launch, Inspector Ciaran Nunan, (Garda National Community Engagement Bureau) said: “An Garda Síochána target the supply of illegal or unlicensed fireworks under ‘Operation Tombola.’ Those that attempt to profit from the sale of illegal fireworks by putting them into the hands of those that are not licensed to safely use them are proactively targeted by Gardaí nationwide – the fireworks are seized so as to prevent anti-social behaviour and dangerous incidents including possible injury and we will prosecute those responsible.
Young people especially need to be fully aware that it is a criminal offence to throw or direct any ignited firework at a person or property. Throughout this next month, Community Policing Gardaí will be visiting schools to speak with children about the dangers and criminal offences associated with fireworks.
We are appealing to parents and guardians, particularly those with young children, to be aware of the serious danger of fireworks and the nuisance they cause to communities.
If you have information relating to the illegal use or sale of fireworks, please contact your local Garda Station or speak with us on the Garda Confidential Line, Tel: 1800 666 111.”

Chief Fire Officer at Dublin Fire Brigade, Mr Dennis Keeley spoke about the major harmful impact the use of fireworks has not just on people’s quality of life, but on the environment.
He said: “Each year, the misuse of fireworks causes life-changing injuries, and leaves tremendous hardship and devastation in its wake. Fireworks cause extensive air pollution in a short amount of time, leaving metal particles, dangerous toxins, harmful chemicals and smoke in the air for hours and days.
By increasing awareness, the Fire Brigade services hope to reduce the number of injuries and incidents associated with the misuse of fireworks. The tragedy is that we are likely to see more injuries associated with the misuse of fireworks and these are so preventable.”

The awareness campaign is aimed at the general public, with a particular focus on the younger generation and their parents, as these groups are most likely to engage in the use of illegal fireworks.

This year, the Department of Justice engaged with Foróige, one of Ireland’s leading youth organisations, to carry out nationwide focus groups on attitudes to fireworks among young people and their parents. The unique insights provided by the research will help promote harm reduction and reduced use among the younger audience.

Mr John Fitzgerald, (Foróige area manager for Dublin City) said: “We know from our work with young people around the country that fireworks can mean very different things to different people. They can be exciting, inspiring and also very dangerous and harmful – depending on who you speak with.
We were delighted to be part of this campaign and to get the opportunity to sit down with Foróige young people around the country and listen to their experiences and insights on firework use, which helped craft this campaign.
We look forward to seeing the finished products of the ads on media platforms nationally and are hopeful that they can influence positive decision-making and ensure that young people, parents and communities are safer this Halloween.”

Mr Tim O’Mahony (Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind), also highlighted how Halloween can be a frightening and dangerous time for Guide and Assistance Dogs and their owners.
Mr O’Mahony said: “Halloween can be a very nervous and unsettling time for the owners of Guide and Assistance Dogs. Whilst our dogs are highly trained to cope with a level of stress, the anxiety caused by fireworks is beyond what can be expected of any dog to cope with.
Every year, our clients report concerns weeks in advance of October 31st, resulting in them needing to take measures to protect the dog as much as possible, for example not being out after dark, and in essence altering their normal, daily routine.
Our trainers often have to work with a dog to try to reverse the effects of fireworks and, in some cases, despite every effort the dog is far too traumatised and has to be withdrawn. The owner is then faced with a lengthy life-changing impact of their independence and mobility being severely curtailed whilst they re-join the waiting list to be matched with a suitable dog.”

This was echoed by Mr Cyril Sullivan (Chief Executive of the ISPCA), who stated; “Every year animals are traumatised by the noise of illegal fireworks causing them extreme fear and upset. The ISPCA is urging the public to consider the distress and the dangers that fireworks cause, not just to our pets but the impact it has on our wildlife, and livestock in our communities.
Some animals show severe signs of anxiety, and it is important that pet owners ensure their furry friends feel safe and secure, so follow our website tips and advice on how to best support your pet and keep all animals safe this Halloween”.

Disappointed to note that representatives from the Farming Community were not invited to this gathering, latter who have valuable animals, e.g. those who own brood mares. Latter will be heavily in foal around this same Halloween period and will become easily frightened, often leading to the loss of their foal.