Dublin Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Early intervention crucial for children in violent and abusive environments

Published: 22 March, 2007

Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called on the Government to formulate a multi-departmental initiative to prioritise early intervention for children and young people who grow up in violent and abusive domestic environments and who are at risk of becoming serious offenders themselves. Deputy Ó Snodaigh raised this very serious issue in the Dáil today in response to the trial of Kelly Noble which concluded yesterday.

Speaking in the Dáil today Deputy Ó Snodaigh said, "There is an urgent
need for the government to formulate a multi-departmental response in
partnership with communities to prioritise early intervention for
children and young people who grow up in an domestic environment of
violence and abuse and who are identifiably at risk of becoming serious
offenders themselves.

"This need is more urgent than ever as evidenced by the young age of
those recently found to be involved in serious drug-related crime and
gangland shootings, victims and killers alike, and by the trial of Kelly
Noble which concluded yesterday."