THREE juvenile crimes are detected every day in Co Donegal, a shock report out today says.
And the number of young offenders who are girls has increased by an astonishing 20%, says the Garda Diversion Programme annual report.
The total number of of children put on the scheme did actually fall by 16% last year.
But there were still 928 referrals to the programme involving 614 individual children.
Part of the scheme allows for young offenders to meet with victims of their representatives.
“It is hoped that the offender will realise that the offence was not merely an offence agains the law but also against a person or community,” said the report of its restorative justice role.
“In addition to humanising the harm, the behaviour is challenged and an opportunity is afford to the offender not only to apologise but to also take some action to repair harm,” it added.
However the restorative justice aspect was used in just EIGHT cases.
A total of 43% of referrals in Donegal resulted in an informal caution being issued to young offenders by gardai.
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