Restorative justice scheme to be rolled out in two counties

A RESTORATIVE justice project which was first piloted in Nenagh isto be expanded to encompass courts in both counties Tipperary and Limerick.

The Nenagh Community Restoration Project was initially pioneered by a District Court judge along with the current Inspector of Prisons Michael Reilly in 1999 following his experience of a similar project in New Zealand.

Instead of receiving a criminal record, offenders referred by the courts and accepted by the project are afforded the opportunity to make amends by undertaking work in the local community together with participation in counselling and addiction treatment courses.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern recently gave the green light for the expansion of the scheme which will see the restorative justice project extended to criminal courts both in Limerick and Tipperary.

The scheme, also piloted in Tallaght, is also set to be extended to the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin.

However, the planned expansion will test the existing scheme’s ability to manage up to 100 adult offenders in Tipperary and Limerick, and up to 300 in Dublin.

Furthermore, the Dublin expansion will involve minimal additional funding, although the Tipperary/Limerick expansion will necessitate at least an additional €65,000 in funding to provide the necessary services.

The expansion of the schemes will also be monitored by the Probation Service, which will report on its effectiveness and value for money after a 12-month period.

Existing projects will also facilitate testing of the type of offender and offences that are best suited to the restorative justice model.

Restorative justice is a victim-sensitive response to criminal offending which, through engagement with those affected by crime, aims to make amends for harm caused to victims and communities, and which facilitates offender rehabilitation and integration into society.