Garda’s ‘hands tied’ as children under 12 ‘run riot’
At the final Ennis Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting, Supt Derek Smart explained his position after hearing residents’ concerns over anti-social behaviour in the estate by children aged under 12.
At the public meeting, Supt Smart said the criminal age of intent in Ireland is 12 and over, and if he comes across issues relating to children aged below 12, he refers the matter to the Health Service Executive (HSE).
“Every time there is an issue like that and we go to the house concerned, we immediately refer the matter to the HSE and it is for them to deal with that.”
Ennis Town Council member Cllr Mary Howard (FG) told the residents: “My heart goes out to ye. I can’t understand how those children haven’t been taken into care. This has been going on for far too long.”
Recalling Christmas morning 2012 at the estate in question, Cllr Howard said that “those children were out harassing other children from homes where Santa had come and they had no Santa Claus in their own house. That broke my heart. I can’t understand how that is being left to continue”.
Chairman of the JPC Cllr Paul O’Shea (Ind) said that the situation requires HSE intervention.
“We need to call a meeting with the HSE and the principal social worker concerned,” he said.
The members of the JPC were responding after one resident from the estate said that the children aged below 12 “are running riot”.
She said that the HSE has “washed their hands” of the children concerned. She said that the numbers of children aged below 12 engaging in anti-social behaviour is around four or five.
She added that two families have left the estate because of the anti-social behaviour of the children. She also stated that residents are faced continually with the children urinating, cursing and swearing.
