15 Asbos issued

GARDAÍ in Kerry have issued 15 behaviour warnings to adults and children since new laws governing antisocial behaviour took effect at the beginning of the year.

Prior to the introduction of the antisocial behavioural orders (Asbo), serious concerns were being raised about violence on the streets of Kerry towns, including Tralee, Killarney and Castleisland.

Justice Minister Brian Lenihan yesterday said while it may still be too early to make a definitive judgment on the number of orders issued, it was fair to at least surmise the warnings were deterring the kind of behaviour that threatened to ruin communities. The Kerry Garda Division issued 14 behaviour warnings to adults and one to a child, he said in reply to a Dáil question from Kerry North Fianna Fáil TD Tom McEllistrim.

The Asbos came into effect for adults in January and for children in March this year. Adults who breach Asbos could face up to six months in prison and €3,000 in fines. Children’s Asbos apply to those aged between 12 and 18 and carry fines of up to €800 and up to three months in prison. Asbos are seen as a civil remedy that should be used in conjunction with community policing, state agencies and restorative justice programmes to rehabilitate offenders.