Longford councillor Seamus Butler says he has 'grave concerns' regarding the sentencing practice in the local court.
Councillor Butler, who's also Vice Chair of the Longford Local Community Safety Partnership says he's making the criticism with some reluctance because he has the greatest respect for the independence of our judiciary.
The Fianna Fail representative adds though that judges must be aware of the reputational damage inflicted on the town by frequent public incidents.
Speaking on the Let's Talk show this afternoon, Councillor Butler says the doling out of suspended sentences and fines to repeat offenders' dismays the general public, and doesn't deter further offending.
He says while the Gardaí are trying their best to do their job, they're not being backed up by the rest of the system…..
'It zaps the morale of the Gardaí who brings these people to court I think there is a pattern of public violence which we have been scourged in Longford that the judiciary should reflect and take on board the fact that this doesn't seem to be diminishing to a huge extent.'
