Youth group asks human rights commission to monitor Asbo application
The call comes after it emerged in the Irish Examiner yesterday that one of three applications for an Asbo related to a child. The other two applications relate to adults, one of which has been turned down, while the other is before the courts.
“It seems inevitable that we will soon have our first Asbo awarded to a young person in this state. This process needs to be overseen by an independent body such as the Irish Human Rights Commission,” said Michael McLoughlin of Youth Work Ireland.
“The fact that there has not been an Asbo to date for a young person is heartening and challenges the negative view of young people we are presented with on a regular basis.
“Even though Asbos have been introduced to the statute book there are still many alternatives. We need to see a major increase in the number of Juvenile Liaison Officers in the gardaí which is pitifully low at abut 110 out of 14,000.”
Asbos were introduced for adults on January 1, 2007, and for children on March 1. Breach of a behaviour order is a criminal offence. For adults this means a fine of up to €3,000, a maximum of six months in prison, or both. For children, the fine is up to €800 or a maximum of three months in a children’s detention school or both.
“Asbos remain a dangerous blurring of the criminal and civil law,” said Mr McLoughlin. “We remain concerned that they could be abused and will have a major impact on the lives of some young people.”
The Children’s Rights Alliance expressed concern at a court application for a child less than a year after the provision was introduced.
“When Asbos were first introduced we voiced our concern, as we felt they were an unnecessary and counterproductive addition to the framework for dealing with children in conflict with the law,” said chief executive Jillian van Turnhout.
“We are of the same opinion, less than one year on,” she said.
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