Head of victim support group praises young offenders scheme

THE head of a support group for victims has praised a garda-led pilot scheme in which young offenders before the courts are dealt with by specially trained gardaí liaising with social workers.

The aim of the initiative is to help prevent reoffending, a joint policing committee meeting between gardaí and public representatives in Tralee has heard.

The meeting was also advised of a spike in under-age drinking in the town — but it was not taking place in pubs.

The pilot scheme of youth crime case management for those offenders up to the age of 18 is to be rolled out across the country.

It involves specially trained gardaí liaising with social and other services.

Máiréad Fernane, national chairperson of the Federation for Victim Assistance and a member of the joint policing committee in Tralee, said she very much welcomed what was being done for young people who became involved in crime — strange as that statement might seem coming from someone concerned with victims.

“Elderly people who are victims of crime are often concerned about what happens to the young people involved,” she said. “Even if the scheme saves one person out of 10, from further crime, it is worth it,” the FG councillor said.

Superintendent Jim O’Connor said four gardaí were now trained to deal with young people in the Kerry Division and a further three were being trained in youth affairs. He said drink and drugs were driving crime among young people and also youths were most likely to re-offend.

The case management scheme signalled a new approach by the force which meant they were not just prosecuting but were taking a wider view and the courts were starting to take note, he said.

Supt O’Connor said there were no reported assaults on gardaí in the division in the past four months — partly because of the use of pepper spray and better safety equipment. “To date this year, there has been no garda sick because of assault and this is a marked decrease on other years.”

Separately the meeting heard how “a lot” of public order offences were student-based and often occurred around exam periods.

“Everyone is entitled to one break, but only one. We have all done stupid things,” the superintendent said.

The meeting also heard how under-age drinking had increased significantly in the town, and it was being conducted in homes and in public parks.