New young offenders centre to be built in Dublin

The Minister for Children has announced plans to construct a new detention centre in Co Dublin to house young offenders from across the country.

The complex in Lusk, which will be built on a phased basis over the coming years, will eventually accommodate 167 offenders aged between 12 and 18.

The first phase will see the transfer of prisoners from St Patrick's Institution in Dublin city, which has been widely criticised as an inappropriate place to house teenagers who break the law.