New powers to tackle juvenile crime will hold parents responsible for the actions of their children.
Holding parents to account for the crimes of their children through fines and court orders forms part of the Children Act (2001).Minister of State at the Department of Justice Willie O'Dea is determined that parents will no longer be able to turn a blind eye to their children committing crimes such as vandalism. He has enacted legislation so the courts can hold parents responsible for the actions of young offenders.
Most parents outside the Dublin District Children Court Office in Dublin are unaware of the Government's latest attempt to penalise them for their children’s offences. Some say they are unable to control their children, others say they cannot pay so they are not too worried.
Long term advocate for the homeless and children's rights campaigner Father Peter McVerry is unimpressed by this latest Government initiative. In his opinion parents struggling to keep their children under control need help,
They are the parents who need support and because of Government cutbacks and Government policy they’re not getting it.
Solicitors and An Garda Síochána do not believe there is much point punishing parents who cannot afford it, particularly when there are chronic problems in the juvenile justice system. The special schools lack the resources needed to keep children away from crime.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 13 October 2003. The reporter is Paul Reynolds.
