Gardaí seek powers to crack down on child crime

GARDAÍ are asking for the power to detain parents who refuse to go to garda stations when their children are being held there.

Officers also want an offence of child corruption to deal with ‘Fagin-type’ adults who are using minors for crime, including drug-running, prostitution and paedophilia.

Garda representatives also say that they should be able to interrogate juveniles in the absence of their parents or guardians.