Greens call for gun amnesty and increased crime prevention

Press Release: Justice 6 March 2006

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Dún Laoghaire, Environment and Justice Press Releases

6 March 2006

Green Party repeats call for gun amnesty following tragic events this weekend

Urgent need for action to stop the growth of illegally held weapons and litany of related crime

The Green Party has reiterated its call for the immediate introduction of a firearms amnesty system for illegally held weapons following the tragic death of Donna Cleary in Coolock on Sunday morning.

Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD said today that, "I am again calling on the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell to take immediate action and introduce an amnesty system for illegally held firearms in order to take these weapons out of circulation. Such an amnesty could be implemented by launching a well-publicised fortnight during which weapons could be left into Garda Stations on a 'don't ask, don't tell' basis.

"The senseless killing of a young woman over the weekend highlights the urgent need for action to stop the massive growth of illegally held weapons and the recent litany of related crimes.

"The Minister has indicated that he is considering including provision for such an amnesty as part of the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is currently before the Dáil. However, this Bill is subject to a lengthy journey through the Houses of the Oireachtas, and it is clear that gun crime is an issue that needs to be dealt with without further delay", concluded Deputy Cuffe.