Victims meeting offenders scheme working

NINE out of 10 crime victims who met their offenders as part of a garda “restorative justice” system were happy with the scheme, research suggests.

A report into the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme said 177 restorative events were carried out last year, compared to 118 in 2003.

Restorative justice is an alternative system outside the criminal process which brings together both the victim and offender.