NCJ Number
166264
Date Published
1996
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Irish juvenile justice system.
Abstract
The overall homicide rate in Ireland is very small and so the rate for children is even smaller. However, children committing very serious crimes other than homicide is becoming an issue in the context of sexual offending. Each year a number of young people are accused and convicted of rape. In Ireland the age of criminal responsibility is the lowest in Europe, seven years of age. A child accused of a serious crime is entitled to all the rights to which an adult would be entitled if accused of a similar offense, including the presumption of innocence. Young persons are tried by the court of summary jurisdiction (district court), roughly equivalent to England's magistrates' court, but with somewhat more extensive jurisdiction. Homicide offenses must be tried on indictment before a jury, and rape cases would be sent forward to the High Court. For sentencing purposes a child is somebody under the age of 15 and a young person is somebody between 15 and 17. It is unlawful for the media to report accusations against or convictions of children younger than 15 years. The article contains discussion of custodial trends and facilities.