Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Thursday 13°CFriday 13°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Derry CityEnvironmentHealthNewsPolitics

Eastwood calls for cooperation to end drink spiking

written by cassoscoop December 11, 2024
ShareTweet

SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood has welcomed confirmation from the Home Office that officials are engaging with the Department of Justice on plans to introduce a standalone criminal offence of drink spiking.

Mr Eastwood asked Parliamentary Questions to the Home Secretary about the level of engagement with the Department of Justice given the staggering increase of reports of drink spiking over the last five years.

The SDLP MP has now written to the Justice Minister in Northern Ireland to encourage the Executive to back a legislative consent approach that would extend the new criminal offence to the North given the delays in introducing legislation to the Assembly.

Said the Foyle MP: “Drink spiking is a serious crime that has a long lasting impact on victims.

“It also contributes to the increasing patterns of violence against women and girls. It is important, therefore, that we act quickly and decisively to tackle spiking which has seen a fivefold increase in the last number of years.

“I have been pressing the Home Office to expedite new legislation which would make drink spiking a standalone criminal offence.

“The current application of antiquated laws to this matter doesn’t reflect the serious, complex crimes that now take place in towns and cities across the North.

“I was pleased to receive confirmation this month that the Home Office has been working with officials in the Department of Justice on the proposed new offence.

“I have written to the Justice Minister outlining my view that the Executive should make a early approach to the British Government to indicate that it would welcome a legislative consent motion to expand the geographical scope of the new law to include the North.

“This would save months of protracted negotiations, deliberations and avoid the seriously slow legislative programme that the Executive is failing to deliver on.

“We need to send a clear message to the perpetrators of this crime that they will be caught, prosecuted and face justice.

“And we need to fundamentally show women and girls that we can take action to make them safer.

“This is something we can and should collaborate on to get across the line as quickly as possible.”

Eastwood calls for cooperation to end drink spiking was last modified: December 11th, 2024 by cassoscoop

Tags:
colum eastwoodDEPARTMENT OF JUSTICEDerry CityEastwood calls for cooperation to end drink spikingFoyle MPHome SecretaryJustice Minister Naomi LongSDLP
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Major investment in Capital Projects approved by...

15 hours ago

Mayor looking forward to All Ireland Pipe-Band...

15 hours ago

Mayor hosts Guardian of the Sperrins event

21 hours ago

Durkan calls for urgent traffic calming measures...

22 hours ago

Harkin: Stormont Executive must act now to...

22 hours ago

Harkin: MPs must vote down punitive welfare...

2 days ago

Mayor welcomes first cohort of Medical School...

2 days ago

Eastwood to oppose British Government’s disability cuts

2 days ago

Mayor announces charities of the year and...

2 days ago

Two males arrested over vehicle crime incidents...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Former Derry coach Rory Gallagher launches High Court action against GAA

    July 1, 2025
  • Derry man jailed over house burglary offences

    June 26, 2025
  • Woman charged to Derry court over shop robbery

    June 25, 2025
  • Killer Hazel Stewart loses appeal over ‘cruel’ double Co Derry murders

    June 25, 2025
  • Dosey Derry rally fan to donate €275 to hospice after THIRD street sleep

    June 25, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy