We have failed too many children

THE record over many years and governments shows that issues relating to children, particularly children on the margins, are not given priority.

Our constitution specifically allows us to have due regard to their position. The tragic reality is that having failed them for decades, we continued to fail those at risk by not putting in place the necessary legislative measures.

It is not until later in life, when many of these children become criminals filling our prisons at enormous cost to the state, that the issue of justice receives high-profile attention by Government departments.

Most of the problems manifesting themselves in our prisons could have been dealt with when the prisoners were much younger and the problems were first evident.

Sadly, there were no services in place to deal with them. These children grew up neglected and it was only a matter of time before they ended up behind bars. Nothing has been done to ensure an adequate supply of social workers.

Children have been left in a vulnerable position because of our court system, while the legal remedies are antiquated.

We lack the special schools and facilities necessary to deal with children experiencing difficulties.

The Cork region had Fort Mitchel, an outstanding counselling, rehab and educational detention centre up to 2003, when it was closed by the Minister for Justice.

It is a disgrace that our criminal law relating to children continues to operate under an act passed almost a century ago by the Westminster parliament and largely replaced in 1926.

Cllr Noel Collins

‘St Judes’

Midleton

Co Cork