Asbos: Jump in warnings issued

THE number of antisocial behaviour warnings have risen dramatically this year.

Recent figures show Antisocial Behaviour Order warnings against children and adults have shot up.

But not one official court order under the law enforcement measures has been made since they were introduced for adults and children in January and March last year.

However, figures released by the Department of Justice show up until the end of April this year, some 700 behaviour warnings were issued to adults and a separate 351 warnings to children.

This compares with figures in February which showed just 450 behaviour warnings had been issued to adults and only 130 similar ones made against children.

The rise in Asbo warnings by gardaí is despite the fact not one case under the law has been brought to court.

Responding to a recent parliamentary question, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said “the stage has not yet been reached in the process where a court order has been issued”.

Instead, 10 formal “good behaviour contracts” have also been made to children. If these serious or last-stage Asbo warnings are breached, gardaí then apply to the courts for an official Asbo.

Breach of a court-enforced Asbo is a criminal offence and 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.

Under the 2006 act,

antisocial behaviour is defined as an act causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, fear or intimidation, or impairs use or enjoyment of property.