Young offenders are being demonised, says ombudsman

Children’s Ombudsman Emily Logan has expressed concern about the “demonisation” of young offenders as she demanded the Dáil intervene to improve conditions for them.

Ms Logan has written to the Oireachtas health and children’s committee urging it to call in managers of the Oberstown child detention centre over delays in transferring inmates from Dublin’s notorious St Patrick’s Institute.

“The public debate seems to be going in the direction where we are now demonising these young people. So we are hearing reports about the number of assaults,” Ms Logan told RTÉ radio.