Government ministers have given an initial green light to proposed legislation that could see thugs who intimidate the families of politicians outside their private homes jailed for six months or more.
The new Bill will be introduced in the Seanad by Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne on Thursday and it will not be opposed by any of the Government parties, a decision that was taken by ministers at Cabinet on Tuesday.
The Bill will seek to crack down on the frightening protests that are becoming increasingly common outside places where private people - like politicians or asylum seekers - live.
