Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2006
198 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied with the way in which the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 was handled; and if it raises questions requiring reform to the legal codes or operational procedures of the Gardaí. [38558/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident referred to was investigated by the Garda Síochána in the area concerned in accordance with Garda operational procedures. I am further informed that a person who went voluntarily to the Garda Síochána was interviewed in relation to the incident and made a statement admitting the incident. An investigation file was submitted to the Director of the National Juvenile Office. The person was subsequently dealt with under the Juvenile Diversion Programme. Part 4 of the Children Act 2001, which came into effect in May 2002, places the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme on a statutory basis. The programme provides that, in certain circumstances, a juvenile under 18 years of age who freely accepts responsibility for a criminal incident may be cautioned as an alternative to prosecution.
