ADULTS who breach antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) could face up to six months’ imprisonment and fines of up to €3,000 under plans the Government hopes to introduce in January.

CHILDREN under the age of 12 will from today no longer be brought before the courts for breaking the law unless they commit the gravest offences.

THE State’s official bodies for human rights and children yesterday rounded on Government plans on youth justice.

PARENTS will be bound by the courts to stop their child’s bad behaviour under the proposed anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs), Justice Minister Michael McDowell has said.

Only a senior Garda officer will be able to apply to a District Court Judge for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order under new Government proposals, it was confirmed tonight.

CHILDREN are carrying out more crimes involving extreme violence and the system for dealing with them is a “farce”, probation officers warned yesterday.