Press release
New criminal offences and tougher sentences take effect from 1 November 2023
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has announced that a range of new criminal offences, as well as tougher sentences for existing offences, come into effect from today, 1 November 2023.
The offences include measures targeting violent and organised crime, violence against Gardaí and other emergency service workers, and landmark measures to support victims and punish perpetrators of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
Minister McEntee said the new laws and tougher sentences mark a milestone in the government’s efforts to build stronger, safer communities and have Zero Tolerance of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
From today, and under Minister McEntee’s Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023:
Minister McEntee said:
“The commencement of this Act is an important milestone and underlines this government’s commitment to building stronger, safer communities.
“This means tackling gangland criminals, ensuring our Gardaí and emergency workers are supported in the work they do and having Zero Tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
“Increasing the maximum sentence for assault causing harm will provide the Courts with a tougher range of sentences to take account of the range and gravity of the assaults that fall under this category.
“We know this is one of the most common crimes in domestic violence cases and that is why we wanted to send a clear message that it will not be tolerated.
“Introducing new standalone offences for stalking and strangling are also significant in this regard as both of these offences are unfortunately common ways abusers assault victims.
“It has been shown that non-fatal strangulation can be an indication of future, lethal violence and is a risk factor for homicides against women in the home.
“While choking and strangling are already illegal, it is my hope that this new offence will encourage victims to come forward and report what has happened to them.
“Similarly, while stalking is already illegal, we are creating a standalone offence, defined in terms of causing either a fear of violence, or serious alarm and distress that has a substantial impact on a person’s day to day activities.
“I want to thank Una Ring and Eve McDowell for their work in championing these particular changes and working with my and Oireachtas colleagues to make these changes happen.
“All of these changes fulfil the commitments I made in Zero Tolerance plan, the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, and Supporting a Victim’s Journey, which was published last year.”
The Act also introduces a range of provisions that will provide better protection for Gardaí and strengthen the laws designed to tackle serious and organised crime.
These include:
Minister McEntee continued:
“From day one as Minister for Justice, ensuring the safety of Gardaí and all other frontline workers has been one of my main priorities.
“On too many occasions in recent years we have seen Gardaí, hospital staff, members of the fire brigade and many other frontline workers assaulted as they go about their business protecting people and communities. Increasing the maximum sentence for such crimes will be an important deterrent and also clearly communicates the gravity of such crimes.
“I would like to thank Minister of State James Browne, my colleague Minister Simon Harris and colleagues in the Dáil and Seanad and officials in my department who all played a key role in ensuring the swift passage of this legislation through the Oireachtas.”