New powers to be given to judges on sentencing
Open season on broadcast deal
New court bill
JUDGES will be able to impose minimum life sentences of more than 30 years “if warranted” under proposed new legislation to be published today.
However, their recommendations will not affect a person’s eligibility for release and the Parole Board will “continue to consider the person for parole after 12 years have been served”.
Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister for Justice Helen Mcentee will publish the Life Sentences Bill 2024, which was approved by Government.
Crimes such as treason and murder carry mandatory life sentences.
Other serious offences, including rape and attempted murder, can also result in life terms.
Minister Mcentee said: “This Bill will provide for sentencing courts to reflect the gravity of the most heinous offences.
“People who commit the most serious crimes should be dealt with in a way that reflects their culpability and the harm they have caused.”
The Taoiseach described the legislation as an “important step forward” in tackling “the most serious crimes”.
Mr Harris added: “It will allow judges, when imposing sentences, to fully reflect all of the circumstances of the offence.”
Games should not be behind the paywall
LIAM O’NEILL EX- GAA PRESIDENT ON COVERAGE
STREAMING channel GAAGO could lose rights to broadcast the GAA’S controversial €79 pay-perview service – but not to RTE.
It emerged yesterday the sporting body is seeking “expressions of interest” from broadcasters who want to buy the right to air All-ireland senior football and hurling championship games in Ireland.
GAAGO is a joint commercial partnership between the GAA and RTE and is only available to subscribers, meaning many Gaelic games are not shown on free-to-air television.
But Montrose chiefs yesterday revealed a new contract, for games currently broadcast within Ireland on GAAGO, is up for grabs.
However, a station spokesperson confirmed to the Irish Mirror RTE does not currently intend to bid for the rights.
He said: “RTE welcomes this process that will enable other organisations who have a genuine interest in showing GAA games to make a bid.
“As an entity with its own board, will decide on its own bid participation independently.”
The tender for the games currently shown by GAAGO will not affect RTE’S existing deal.
It has the rights to 31 Championship games across the island of Ireland until 2027.
Virgin Media, which last year accused the GAA of not approaching “other broadcasters” about the GAAGO matches, was asked for comment on the new broadcast tender.
Analysts believe other interested stakeholders could include Sky Sports, which gave up the rights to its previous GAA package and broadcasters that already operate in Ireland, such as TG4, the BBC, Amazon, Premier Sports, and TNT Sports.
The latest development follows the State’s competition watchdog recommending that elements of the original GAA-RTE deal should be put out to tender at the end of GAAGO’S initial two-year contract, which was announced in October 2022. Sinn Fein TD Imelda Munster, who is the party’s media spokesperson, wrote to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission last month to query clearance of broadcasts for GAAGO to stream matches within Ireland.
She said RTE and the GAA confirmed to her in the Dail Committee on Sport and Media that GAAGO had not yet been cleared by the CCPC to broadcast within Ireland.
Ms Munster added: “In
2017, GAAGO sought and received cleargaago ance from the CCPC to stream games abroad for the Irish diaspora and for those who want to watch games while on holidays.
“But they have not received clearance to show games in Ireland, behind their paywall.”
A full season GAAGO pass for 38 matches last season cost €79, with single matches at €12, and bundles of three for €24.
The controversy is ongoing about high-profile matches of the national game being put behind a paywall on the subscription service instead of being shown on free-to-air TV. Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, EX-GAA president Liam O’neill and the charity Age Action have also criticised GAAGO.
EX-GAA president O’neill said: “Games shouldn’t be behind the paywall.”
Former Mayo GAA captain Alan Dillon, who is now a TD, called for GAAGO to be sent “to
the sidelines”.
Championship games RTE has the rights to broadcast until 2027
Imelda Munster