Mayo senator disappointed by justice department's response to appeal on stalking offences

A Mayo senator has expressed disappointment with the Department of Justice over its response to a campaign to introduce a specific offence for stalking in legislation.

Senator Lisa Chambers said the campaign was started by Eve McDowell and Una Ring who eloquently and articulately outlined their case for having a separate stand-alone offence of harassment.

The Castlebar-based Fianna FáiI representative outlined: "I am persuaded by their arguments and fully support the campaign.

"For this reason, I have, in recent weeks, drafted a Bill to introduce harassment as a specific offence by amending the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

"I am working with Eve and Una and hope to be in a position to bring the Bill before the Senate, if not next week, then certainly by the week after that. We are finalising some of the details.

"I was disappointed with the response from the Department of Justice.

"It states that it has beefed up, for want of a better phrase, section 10 of that particular Act, which deals with harassment, and that covers everything from bugging somebody with text messages to entering a person's home with an intention to rape and potentially kill.

"I do not think it is sufficient that one offence would cover that spectrum of criminality.

"We should listen to women.

"There are two victims, two survivors, who said that they got their day in court and got some justice but not full justice.

"Many women have not had their day yet. Now is the time to listen to the women of Ireland who are asking for this to be legislated for.

"I hope I will have broad support from members when I bring that legislation to the chamber."