Transport minister calls for sentencing guidelines for road traffic offences

Transport Minister Shane Ross has called for the introduction of strict sentencing guidelines for judges to smooth out inconsistencies in sentencing for drink driving and road traffic cases.

In an interview with the Sunday Independent, Mr Ross said he believes judges “take too much discretion” and that inconsistent sentencing sends out the wrong message to motorists.

He also said the introduction of strict sentencing guidelines would “restore public confidence in the judiciary” and had spoken about it to his Cabinet colleague, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan.

Mr Flanagan told the Sunday Independent that he accepted there was a “small minority” of cases in which there were “perceived inconsistencies”, but added that “judicial independence has served the State well over the past century and that should continue”.

Mr Justice John Edwards, president of the Association of Judges of Ireland (AJI), said it was open to sentencing guidelines, but said there is no “unproblematic” model for implementing guidelines.

The Judicial Council Bill, to be introduced to the Dáil later this year, will provide for the creation of a Sentencing Information Committee to collate and disseminate information on sentences.