A Laois man who was the victim of a robbery on Monday evening says that those who have been convicted of committing burglaries should have their social welfare payments suspended until they have reimbursed the people they stole from.
Kevin Scully, who owns the Merry Mill in Vicarstown, had his house burgled in Vicarstown between 4 and 5pm.
Four men entered the family home by breaking in the door and then smashed the alarm off the wall.
The whole incident is only thought to have lasted a couple of minutes before a fifth man arrived in a silver car to pick up the burglars.
Speaking on Midlands 103 this morning, Kevin has suggested a way to possibly deter these people from committing crimes.
He said: “Perhaps if people convicted of these crimes had their social welfare repayments withheld until they reimbursed the victims, it might deter them.
“Because of this revolving door of crime, we need to think of something else.
“The Gardaí have been out and they have been very good. But they are constrained by the courts system too because even if they do catch these lads, they will likely be back out again soon enough.
“So maybe a proposal like this would help.”
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