Call for antisocial offenders to be put ‘in distinctive overalls’

A BYLAW could be introduced in Co Cork where those convicted of antisocial behaviour are forced to wear special overalls “designating their crime” and carry out community service to atone for it.

The high-powered Joint Policing Committee (JPC) for the county is to discuss a proposal to introduce a bylaw with community service penalties aimed at reducing antisocial behaviour. A motion has been put forward by Cllr Deirdre Forde (FG) at county council level to introduce such legislation and it has found widespread support from her colleagues on the local authority.

Ms Forde’s motion was originally sent to the county solicitor, who proposed a number of possibilities. The Douglas-based public representative said she wanted similar bylaws adopted to the ones introduced in parts of the county in 2004 against drinking in public places. Ms Forde said she was concerned about the increasing incidences of antisocial behaviour in her own neighbourhood and throughout the county.