Garda Youth Diversion Project for Nenagh

Published: Thu 14 Jan 2016, 9:52 AM

Last updated: Thu 14 Jan 2016, 9:55 AM

Minister for Justice & Equality Frances Fitzgerald last week announced that Nenagh is one of seven new Garda Youth Diversion Project centres to come into operation in 2016.

The new projects are designed to prevent and tackle youth crime. Last week, Minister Fitzgerald also announced the rollout of the first phase of a new pilot mentoring service for young people coming to the attention of An Garda Síochána. In total, €1.7 million is being allocated from the Dormant Account Funding to support these new youth justice initiatives
The seven new Garda Youth Diversion Projects will be located in the following areas: Athy, Co Kildare; Balbriggan, Co Dublin; Donnycarney/Fairview/Clontarf, Dublin City; Kilbarrack/Killester/Raheny, Dublin City; Naas, Co Kildare; Nenagh; and Rathkeale, Co Limerick.
The Minister’s announcement follows on from a recently completed selection process for service providers to operate the new projects.
Minister Fitzgerald stated: “There has been significant progress made in tackling youth crime over the recent years. However it is important to acknowledge that additional crime prevention and crime reduction efforts such as the Garda Youth Diversion Projects are needed in areas with a high level of youth crime and in areas where an increase in the youth population raises the risks of increasing levels of youth crime.”
Tipperary TD Noel Coonan welcomed Nenagh's inclusion among the seven new Garda Youth Diversion Projects commencing this year.
“This announcement is a further indication of Fine Gael's strong unwavering commitment to policing and investing in our police force, and to reducing youth crime,” Deputy Coonan said. “It is part of our plan to expand the number of Garda Youth Diversion Projects nationwide from 100 to 110.
“The new community-based, multi-agency projects will support An Garda Síochána in their proactive effort to work with young people to divert them from becoming involved in antisocial and/or criminal behaviour,' concluded the Tipperary TD.