Are Bad Laws Made To Be Broken? Episode 264

In this episode, Niall asks, “Are Bad Laws Made To Be Broken?” This discussion is sparked by the case of Brendan McDonagh, a father facing possible imprisonment for building a small log cabin on his family’s land after being denied state housing assistance. Despite his attempts to follow regulations, Brendan’s home is set to be demolished by October 1st due to lack of planning permission, a move that could leave his family homeless.

Some callers believe that laws should serve the people, and when they fail to do so, as in Brendan’s case, they might deserve to be challenged. They argue that Brendan is simply trying to provide a safe home for his family on his own land and that laws preventing this are outdated and unjust. They see his actions as a form of protest against an unfair system.

Other callers feel that laws are in place for important reasons, such as ensuring safety and protecting the environment. They argue that while Brendan’s situation is unfortunate, everyone needs to follow the rules to maintain order and fairness. They suggest that changing the law through legal channels is the appropriate way to address such issues, rather than breaking it.

Niall wraps up by emphasizing the importance of this debate in the context of Ireland’s housing crisis, questioning whether the enforcement of such laws is truly serving the public good or if it’s time to reconsider how these regulations are applied in extraordinary circumstances.