UPWARDS of 60 participants representing 23 agencies from the community, voluntary and statutory sectors, attended the Le Chéile Restorative Justice Project in conjunction with the Limerick Regeneration Agency and Young Persons Probation. Entitled ‘Restorative Justice – Re-envisioning Justice’, the event was the first of its kind and was held in The Factory Youth Space in Southill to coincide with Restorative Justice International Week.
It aimed to highlight the benefits of promoting local and national services using restorative practice.
Restorative justice is an approach that focuses on the needs of victims, offenders, as well as the involved community, providing a victim-sensitive and community-led response to crime.
It gives victims a chance to ‘tell their story’, and help offenders understand the implications of their behaviour.
Working with volunteers, the young person develops a greater insight into the impact of their crime on the lives of their victims, their own families and the community.
John Brosnahan, senior probation officer, said the enthusiasm and commitment of those attending the conference is “testament to the significant work that has been undertaken to date in developing restorative practice across Limerick city”
Presentations were given by agencies including Le Chéile Restorative Justice Project, Support After Crime Services, An Garda Síochána, the Department of Education and Young Person’s Probation, which highlighted the benefits of restorative practice.
Sean Kinahan, CEO of Le Chéile Youth Justice and Family Support Services, said the hard work and commitment that had gone into developing the project in Limerick had been proven.
“This really bodes well for the project into the future.
“Restorative Justice makes sense from every angle whether it be from the victims, the offenders, the community or from a value for money perspective.
“The long term benefits of having an appropriate response make complete sense.
“I hope to see the Le Chéile Restorative Justice project develop further with the continued support of probation and the Limerick Regeneration agency”.
The agencies that attended the event identified how communities in Limerick can promote the practice and support young offenders who are willing to take responsibility for their actions and want to give back to the community.
Mary Henihan, Restorative Justice Project coordinator, said it was a great team effort for the southern Le Chéile staff team, which includes staff members from the Mentoring Projects and Restorative Justice Project in Cork and Limerick.
“The day was a big step forward in promoting the project and other services currently using restorative practices.
“We have seen the benefits of using this approach with the young people and families we work with.
“It really is the way forward in encouraging empathy and creating dialogue between victim and offenders as well as within the family setting”.
It is based in Southill and works with people aged between 12-18 years who are involved in the justice system.
