New law provides homeowners with stronger rights to protect their home  - Humphreys

Cavan – Monaghan Fine Gael TD Heather Humphreys has welcomed the enactment of new legislation which will provide greater protection to people who find themselves confronted by an intruder in their own home.

“People in Monaghan, Cavan and across the country should feel safer following the enactment of the Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act 2011. The act, which came into effect last Friday (13th January) will provide greater clarity when it comes to the defence of their home. Crucially, the Act states that a person may use reasonable force to defend their home.

“In recent years there have been a number of high profile cases of break-ins which saw elderly people being victimised in their own homes. Many people in rural and isolated areas have felt increasing vulnerable and uncertain about their rights.

“This new law means that reasonable force can be used to protect people in a home from assault, to protect the property, to prevent a crime or to make a lawful arrest. Anyone who finds themselves as the victim of a break-in should of course immediately contact the Gardaí however this may not always be possible.

“Under the law, if your home is broken into you are not obliged to retreat, and if reasonable force is used the homeowner cannot be sued for damages by a burglar and will not be guilty of an offence. As somebody who comes from a rural area, this is something which I feel very strongly about. I believe that it is only right that people can feel safe in their own homes, and safe in the knowledge that they have the right to protect that home and their family,” concluded Deputy Humphreys.

Cavan – Monaghan Fine Gael TD Heather Humphreys has welcomed the enactment of new legislation which will provide greater protection to people who find themselves confronted by an intruder in their own home.

“People in Monaghan, Cavan and across the country should feel safer following the enactment of the Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act 2011. The act, which came into effect last Friday (13th January) will provide greater clarity when it comes to the defence of their home. Crucially, the Act states that a person may use reasonable force to defend their home.

“In recent years there have been a number of high profile cases of break-ins which saw elderly people being victimised in their own homes. Many people in rural and isolated areas have felt increasing vulnerable and uncertain about their rights.

“This new law means that reasonable force can be used to protect people in a home from assault, to protect the property, to prevent a crime or to make a lawful arrest. Anyone who finds themselves as the victim of a break-in should of course immediately contact the Gardaí however this may not always be possible.

“Under the law, if your home is broken into you are not obliged to retreat, and if reasonable force is used the homeowner cannot be sued for damages by a burglar and will not be guilty of an offence. As somebody who comes from a rural area, this is something which I feel very strongly about. I believe that it is only right that people can feel safe in their own homes, and safe in the knowledge that they have the right to protect that home and their family,” concluded Deputy Humphreys.