PRESS RELEASE

18/05/2005

Gun amnesty on way after McDowell’s Dáil response - Kelleher

Cork North-Central Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher has said the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell TD, must immediately bring forward proposals to introduce a gun amnesty after giving a Dáil commitment to introduce the measure.

In a written response to a parliamentary question, Minister McDowell confirmed that he is going to introduce a system under which firearms and other offensive weapons can be surrendered to gardaí.

‘Gun amnesties have been very successful in other countries and I believe we should replicate the measure here to eradicate armed crime. I believe a gun amnesty would give criminals a final opportunity to hand in weapons and ammunition before tougher laws are introduced. In Britain, a month-long amnesty in 2003 saw more than 43,000 weapons handed in,’ said Deputy Kelleher, who is the deputy Government chief whip.

He said that while the overall number of serious crimes is down, there are more incidents in which shots are fired. By taking guns out of circulation we can make the streets of Cork and other parts of the country safer for everyone.

‘New and tougher laws should take effect after the amnesty including mandatory jail sentences for anyone who uses or threatens to use a gun.

‘It is clear that gun gangs have no regard for human life and are intent on causing serious injury or even death to anyone who gets in their way. It is important that these people are brought to justice,’ said Deputy Kelleher.

ENDS