Garda powers to detain offenders' parents sought

Gardaí want the power to detain parents whose children are believed to be committing offences, one of the main Garda organisations said yestereday.

Investigations into serious crimes committed by juveniles while under the influence of drugs and alcohol are being hampered because officers often cannot find the offender's parents or guardian, the force's sergeants and inspectors have said.

These are required to be present at a Garda station when a blood or urine sample is taken.

The problem has become so widespread that the officers believe it is time to start hiring people to act as a responsible adult for children while in Garda custody.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said: "Juveniles have been found driving cars with three times the legal alcohol limit and also under the influence of cocaine and have also been guilty of rape, murder and armed robbery where forensic samples are vital."

It has called for a review of the payment of maintenance to school drop-outs attending courses, saying its members believe the money is often spent on drugs and alcohol.

In its submission to the Department of Justice's review of youth justice, the AGSI has called for wide-ranging, strong powers for gardaí to deal with juveniles who commit crime and their unco-operative parents. Among its recommendations are:

• Gardaí should have the power to detain any youth found breaking the conditions of a court-imposed curfew.

• CCTV cameras are needed in Garda stations to protect gardaí from allegations from some juveniles, who "offer violence that has to be seen to be believed".

• There should be power to detain a parent and bring them, with their child, before the courts to address any criminal charges relating to the child.

• There should be a specific offence of corrupting a young person. Drug-dealers, crime gangs and pimps are coercing juveniles into lives of crime and should be severely punished when caught.

• In cases where parents and guardians show no interest in a child, gardaí should have the power to bring the child before a court as a protection issue. It was "in nobody's interest" to return a child into the care of ambivalent adults.

• While the current juvenile liaison officer scheme had proved successful it was being "severely diluted" by excessive paperwork and should be streamlined.

• Juveniles on temporary release from detention centres who reoffend or break the conditions of their release should be returned to a centre and have the matter brought before the original sentencing court within 14 days.

• At present gardaí cannot remove juveniles from institutions when the individual has assaulted staff at that institution. In order to protect staff this should be reviewed.

The president of the AGSI, Mr Joe Dirwan, said the State was "failing miserably" in its duty under the Constitution to cherish all children equally.

His members had repeatedly brought their recommendations on youth justice to the attention of many government departments down the years.

" We look forward to the new year in the hope that at least some, if not all, of the concerns expressed in our submission will be taken on board and reflected in legislation and other measures soon," Mr Dirwan said.

"Our members feel we need to take extra-special measures to protect at-risk children."