Government to press ahead with ASBOs

The Government has said it will go ahead with ending the rule whereby children under seven are considered incapable of committing offences.

It is also to press ahead with the introduction of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs).

The controversial orders will only be used as a last resort for dealing with unruly 12-to-18-year-olds.

The new measures are included in a package of changes in the way Irish law deals with young offenders.

Some of the more lenient changes include a ban on children under the age of 12 being charged with most offences.

Exceptions will be made in the cases of children of 10 or 11 years who have been accused of murder, manslaughter, rape or aggravated sexual assault.

The prosecution of children under 14 will have to be sanctioned by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A new agency called the Youth Justice Service is being set up to oversee the measures and will also have responsibility for the detention of young offenders.