Calls for fast track 'Spiking Bill' by local student. Young Fine Gael is calling on Dáil Éireann to urgently pass the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Amendment (Spiking) Bill. Making spiking a stand-alone offence under Irish law.
Furthermore, the call comes amid a worrying rise in reported spiking incidents across the country.
Currently, the absence of specific legislation makes prosecution challenging. Therefore leading to underrepresentation of cases, and discouraging victims from coming forward. Moreover, An Garda Síochána research indicates that approximately 60% of spiking victims are aged between 18 and 25. Thus highlighting the disproportionate impact on young people.
Alarmingly, one-third of reported cases were linked to subsequent sexual assaults; with 90% of victims being women.
Ronan Gargan spoke to Vice President of young Fine Gael, and Monaghan man Caolan Maguire. Caolan says young people deserve to feel safe in social settings.
