Justice Committee Chairman welcomes establishment of community court on a pilot basis

18th September 2014

Committee Chairman David Stanton TD said: “As Chairman of the Committee, I welcome the fact that the Review Group endorses the conclusions of the Committee hearings into community courts and that, chiefly, it would support the committee’s recommendation for the establishment, initially on a pilot basis, of such a court for the Dublin City Centre area.

In particular, I would also like to welcome the Minister’s intention to bring forward proposals on the establishment of a Community Court on a pilot basis.

Already established in a number of countries, such as the UK, USA and Canada, community courts take a problem-solving justice approach to dealing with what are considered minor crimes such as disorderly conduct, anti-social behaviour, petty theft and criminal damage. The system sees the vast majority of offenders undertaking community service in the neighbourhood to make some reparation for their offences. Availing of health and social services, the system provides immediate access to justice, cuts down on the number of people being incarcerated and, in areas where it is established, has led to a fall in the number of people repeating offences.”

Media Enquiries to:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
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Email: Ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie


Committee Membership

Deputies: Niall Collins (FF); Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (FG); Alan Farrell (FG); Anne Ferris (LAB) [Vice-Chairman]; Seán Kenny (LAB); Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (SF); Finian McGrath (IND); John Paul Phelan (FG); David Stanton (FG) [Chairman]

Senators: Ivana Bacik (LAB); Martin Conway (FG); Rónán Mullen (IND); Denis O’Donovan (FF); Katherine Zappone (IND); Tony Mulcahy (FG)