Tag Archives: Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald

THE family of the late Patrick Nugent from Sixmilebridge has accused the Department of Justice of adding “insult to injury” over its failure to update them on the potential for an independent review into his death. The death of 23-year-old banqueting manager Patrick Nugent, in Bunratty, in the early hours of February 11, 1984 is back in the spotlight this week as members of the Nugent family, from Feenagh, Sixmilebridge, have highlighted their frustration over being left in the dark for the past 13 months on a possible review of file. “The lack of communication is adding insult to injury for the family,” said his brother, John, a view shared by his sibling, Martin. “It is a like a repeat of what happened over 30 years ago when we were coming up against a brick wall. We weren’t getting any proper answers back then and it is the same now. It is hard to believe it. We will not throw …

ANIMALS enjoy more protection under the law than adult victims of domestic violence in Ireland, a prominent Clare politician has claimed. Senator Tony Mulcahy, who previously revealed his own childhood had been destroyed by domestic violence, has called on Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald to introduce more stringent penalties against perpetrators of this crime. The Fine Gael Senator made the plea noting that someone who inflicts cruelty on a dog can be fined up to €250,000, or face up to five years imprisonment, while there is far less protection for someone over the age of 18, either male or female, who is a victim of domestic violence. A person convicted in the district court of causing harm can receive a maximum fine of €1,500 or up to 12 months in prison. “If we can introduce law to protect animals, we should be able to protect a man or woman that is being brutalised in their own home,” he said. “Friends of …