Those caught committing crimes while wearing balaclavas should have an additional two years added to their sentence.

That’s according to Roscommon/Galway Independent candidate Eugene Murphy, who says people are living in fear of crime.

Senator Murphy says criminals are ‘running amok’, and using balaclavas both to hide their identities and to intimidate.

He wants the message sent out that the practice will not be tolerated and that their intimidatory tactics will be met head on.