LIMERICK courts recorded the highest number of new referrals to probation services in 2024, it has been revealed.
The Probation Service 2024 Annual Report found that there were as many as 350 new referrals per 100,000 residents on Shannonside last year.
The referrals were made across the Limerick District Court (517), Limerick Circuit Court and Higher Courts (76), and the Circuit Court Appeals from the District Court (20).
This marks the third highest number of all referrals made throughout the country last year (613) outside of Dublin (2,699) and Cork (1,100).
Limerick was also the fifth highest county in issuing probation orders, with as many as 100 referrals per 100,000 people, along with the sixth highest for the number of community service orders issued.
In July 2024, the Supervised Temporary Release (STR) pilot programme was launched, with its base at the female unit of Limerick Prison.
Probation Services and the Irish Prison Service helps women serving sentences of 18 months or less, who live either in Limerick or an adjoining county, to apply.
Women deemed suitable for temporary release work with a probation officer while in custody prior to release.
Limerick was also involved in development talks as part of a three-year Restorative Justice Action Plan, due for publication this year.
Its aim is to drive the integration of restorative justice practices into existing service delivery models, and to enable the expansion of restorative justice provision nationally.
The Probation Service also assessed whether it could expand the network of Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), a court order that can be issued to individuals who engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour.
These services are already available in Limerick and Clare, with talks on expanding throughout the region underway.
CBOs are not a prison sentence but instead are designed to prevent further offending by imposing specific restrictions and requirements on an individuals behaviour.
The annual report also highlighted the work being carried out by a number of community-based organisations funded by the Probation Service, including Céim ar Chéim at Moyross Youth Academy, Cuan Mhuire in Bruree, PALLS on the Dock Road, and Southill Outreach on Michael Street.
