Seven Garda juvenile liaison officers take up posts

SEVEN new Garda juvenile liaison officers have been appointed to positions around the country.

There had been a commitment to provide seven additional JLOs each year for four years, but as of last week just 14 of the promised 28 had been appointed. It is understood that the delay had been caused by retirements in other areas of the force. The new appointees are likely to be in place by the end of the year and the remaining seven additional JLOs are likely to be appointed next year.

One existing JLO, Eamonn Tuohy, who works in west Dublin, said the number of referrals to JLO schemes is likely to reach 2,500 this year.

Last year his area – which includes Blanchardstown and Finglas – received 2,440 referrals, an increase on the figure for the previous year. He said 20% of the cases dealt with by JLOs in the area will ultimately reach court.

“We would caution them [young people in trouble] as often as we can but there comes a time when you have to recommend their prosecution,” he said.

However, he said approximately 40 cases in his division last year was dealt with in a “restorative” fashion, where the young person met the victim of the crime.

“We are beginning to gather momentum,” he said. “Each of the JLOs in my division will have four cases per year to deal with in a restorative fashion.”

Under the terms of the Children Act 2001 the age of criminal responsibility is 12, although JLOs can deal with cases involving children aged 10 and 11, but only if they admit to their crime.