'Tiger' jail term proposed

A MINIMUM jail term of 10 years for criminals convicted of robberies where family members are held hostage has been proposed by Fianna Fáil.

Party whip Sean Ó Fearghaíl yesterday published the Criminal Justice (Aggravated False Imprisonment) Bill 2012 in response to the recent spate of such crimes, known as tiger kidnappings, targeting the family members of people working in the financial sector. “I am publishing the Bill to strengthen the law, protect families from tiger kidnappings and make it clear to the thugs behind such kidnappings that the State is serious about stopping them.” he said. Mr Ó Fearghaíl said the State had to respond to kidnappings by prosecuting the gangs involved to the full extent of the law.

“Many people who are working in sensitive financial positions and their families have been subjected to terrifying ordeals by crime gangs who have gone to extraordinary efforts to enrich themselves at the expense of others.”

He said the kidnappings had caused great fear, even among people who had not been specifically targeted but felt their work could have increased the chances of their families being put at risk.

“My family has experienced this at first hand and I don’t want any other families to suffer the same ordeal,” said the TD.