Garda Diversion Programme

If a child gets into trouble with the law, the Gardaí (the Irish police force) may decide to caution and keep him/her under supervision rather than go to Court. This programme, operated by the National Juvenile Office of an Garda Síochána, provides that in certain circumstances a young person under 18 years of age who freely accepts responsibility for a criminal incident can be cautioned and supervised as an alternative to prosecution.

Since its inception in 1963, this programme has proven a very successful mechanism for leading young people away from a life of crime. Because it has been successful, the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme exists across the country and operates on a statutory basis under Part 4 of the Children Act 2001. In 2005, 17,567 children were referred to the programme and 75% were issued a caution.

A child may also agree, as part of a caution, a number of actions which he/she will do to address the hurt that they have caused. This can include an apology to the victim, a form of compensation, a curfew or to take part in a sporting or recreational activity. Children on the programme may also be referred to Garda Youth Diversion Projects.

Annual Reports of the Committee Appointed to Monitor the Effectiveness of the Diversion Programme can be found in the Publications section of this website.