Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2019
98. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the audit will be published of juvenile crime cases in which senior gardaí failed to take action on a significant number of the cases; the steps he plans to take in respect of the victims of these crimes; the way in which he plans to ensure accountability for these failures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2188/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a number of issues relating to the treatment of youth crime cases were identified following the completion, in June 2017, of an examination of the Garda Diversion Programme by the Garda Professional Standards Unit (GPSU).
Subsequently, An Garda Síochána initiated a detailed review of youth crime cases from 2010 – 2017. Importantly, the Policing Authority has been monitoring the review process closely. It has taken some time to complete this very complex review task, which involved an assessment of over 22,000 youth crime cases spread over all 28 Garda Divisions. I expect that the public examination of the matter by the Policing Authority, which is due to take place today, 17 January, will help clarify the extent of the systemic problems involved.
I met with the Garda Commissioner recently who briefed me on the work which has been done as part of the review of youth crime cases. I am advised that we are dealing with significant systemic issues and it is clearly appropriate for the Policing Authority to pursue these matters in accordance with its remit.
I am informed that an interim report was presented to the Commissioner yesterday and remains under consideration within An Garda Síochána. I am also informed that the Commissioner has recently initiated a process of external evaluation of the matters raised in this report and I await the outcome of this process, which will also be notified to the Policing Authority.
