Neale Richmond
Ceist:584. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a full report on the 2006 weapons amnesty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39708/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 1 December 2020
Ceisteanna (584)
Freagraí scríofa
I can inform the Deputy that the 2006 Amnesty, which resulted in the surrender of over 1,000 weapons, is considered a success and that it has fully achieved its aims. It was introduced in the context of new licensing arrangements being introduced and represented an opportunity for people to regularise their situation by handing over illegally held weapons to their local Garda Station before the coming into force of the heavier penalties provided for in the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
It was never thought that large numbers of hardened criminals were going to hand over their weapons under this amnesty. Indeed, it would be inappropriate for any weapons used in the commission of a criminal offence to form part of an amnesty. Such criminals can only be dealt with by applying the full rigour of the law; they are and will continue to be pursued relentlessly and brought to justice.
However, it was believed that there were people who had unlicensed guns and offensive weapons in their homes, who would have found it difficult to come forward or to admit that they had such weapons, and that an amnesty would afford them an opportunity to surrender their weapons safely before the introduction of the new minimum mandatory sentences provided for under the 2006 Act.
There are no current plans for a firearms amnesty but the legislative provisions regarding firearms and other areas related to organised crime are kept under ongoing review and I remain in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner in relation to tackling organised crime.