COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 14, 2014

QUESTION NO.

QUESTION: Councillor M. Devine

To ask the Manager to  consider a review of the Councils approach to Restorative Justice Practice?

REPLY:

Restorative justice is a forward-looking, problem-solving approach to crime, which involves the parties themselves and the community generally in an active relationship with various agencies.  Restorative justice brings victims and offenders into contact with each other and it gives victims an opportunity to get answers to questions that are of direct concern to them. It also gives them a chance to tell offenders the real impact and consequences of their wrongdoing.  

Restorative Justice Services (Tallaght) is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation which was established in 2000. It is funded by the Probation Service and is managed by a partnership of stakeholders within the criminal justice system. These include Tallaght District Court, the Probation Service, An Garda Síochána, victim support and community sector volunteers.  Two restorative justice programmes are available, offender reparation and victim offender mediation. All cases are court-referred at presentencing stage, at the discretion of the Judge. The Probation Service, An Garda Síochána, legal representatives and victim support interests may request the Court to consider the appropriateness of mediation or reparation in a particular case. The Court is in charge of the process at all times.    

While South Dublin County Council is not a partner in the provision of this service, the Council is available to work with the service if required.