Judges called on to hand down tougher sentences for rural crime

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The Judicial system is being called on to do its part in the fight against rural crime.

A man whose family home near the Tipp Limerick border was invaded by armed raiders says judges need to acknowledge how serious burglary is.

Gerry Garvey is looking for longer sentences for repeat offenders after his house was broken into by a gang who had over 100 previous convictions between them.

It also follows similar calls from prominent Tipperary solicitor Kieran Cleary who has continuously spoken of the need for a complete overhaul of bail laws.

He is President of the Victims of Crime Group and also represented a Tipperary family who were terrorised and assaulted by a gang who broke in to their home near Killenaule in 2013.

Earlier this week the DPP called for harsher consequences for people who rob elderly residents in rural areas.

Gerry Garvey says break-ins can be extremely damaging: