The new Policing Authority must have the power to investigate complaints from victims of crime as the Garda Ombudsman is “not fit for purpose”, an alliance of victims’ groups has said.

Just over half of families of homicide victims and victims of rape and sexual assault say they were not informed by gardaí of support services, according to a new survey.

Free bereavement counselling must be offered to victims of crime who suffer traumatic events, support groups have said.

Young people who carry knifes are premeditating murder, it was claimed today.

THE Taoiseach recently voiced his concern regarding the decline in volunteers in our society.