Surely it should be “minimum custodial sentence”? Perhaps it’s just a transcription error. But isn’t this equivalent – or worse, in some cases – than the Gardaí being allowed to access your bank or medical records for the same offenses? For a minor assault?

ENN: The Irish Times says that the Government has broadened the range of criminal investigations for which the Garda are able to request e-mail and internet data retained by internet service providers. In the latest draft of the statutory instrument implementing European directives on data retention, “serious offences” would be defined as “any offence for which a person… could receive a maximum custodial sentence of six months”. Offences that could now be deemed “serious” include public order offences or minor assault.