Overstretched probation officers face further budget cuts

PROBATION and welfare officers, already struggling to cope, are to have their budget cut by a further 8% next year, the Oireachtas heard yesterday.

On the first day of a series of special Oireachtas hearings into witness intimidation following the collapse of Liam Keane’s trial for murder, Probation and Welfare Service head officer Sean Lowry said the service was under-resourced.

With 290 professional staff dealing with 5,500 offenders, Mr Lowry said: “We struggle to do the job and we are not able to meet all the demands that are made of us.”