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Public Order Offences.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2008

Wednesday, 24 September 2008

Questions (898)

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

986 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of anti-social behaviour orders issued to individuals in Listowel, Tralee and Abbeyfeale towns respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31140/08]

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Written answers

Part 11 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which provides for civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults, was commenced on 1 January 2007. Part 13 of the Act, relating to anti-social behaviour by children, was commenced on 1 March 2007. These provisions set out an incremental procedure for addressing anti-social behaviour by adults and children. With regard to children, these range from a warning from a member of the Garda Síochána, to a good behaviour contract involving the child and his or her parents or guardian, to referral to the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme and to the making of a behaviour order by the Children's Court. I am informed by the Garda authorities that from 1 January 2007 to 31 July 2008, 30 behaviour warnings were issued to adults and nine to children in the Kerry Garda Division, which includes Listowel, Tralee and Abbeyfeale. Figures are provisional, operational and liable to change. In setting up the regime under the Criminal Justice Act 2006, the intention was that these warnings or good behaviour contracts would address the problem behaviour. It is only if they fail that a court order will be applied for. In any case, it inevitably takes time to reach the stage where a court order might be sought. No significance should be attached to the fact that the stage has not yet been reached in the process where a court order has been issued. If warnings or good behaviour contracts do not succeed in altering a person's behaviour, however, they will culminate in a court order being sought by the Garda authorities from the courts.

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