Law « Thurles Information

First Director Of National Office For Community Safety Appointed.

National Office will:

Provide training, guidance and other support to the Local Community Safety Partnerships, including assistance in formulating Local Community Safety Strategies and Action Plans.
Foster inter-agency collaboration and cross-sectoral coordination.
Provide national communication regarding community safety.

Yesterday, Monday September 23rd 2024 it was announced that Ms Gráinne Berrill had been designated as the first Director of the National Office for Community Safety.

This office newly established is expected to be a game changer for community safety in Ireland and will lead on the establishment of the new Community Safety Partnerships, enabling communities to develop their own local community safety plans.

Ms Berrill brings with her a wealth of experience in the public and Community & Voluntary sectors, having held several senior roles, including most recently as the Coordinator of the Drogheda Implementation Board; a cross agency, cross sectoral response to rising concerns regarding crime and fear of crime in the area.

As Director, Ms Berrill will oversee the management and administration of the National Office for Community Safety, which will be established under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, when the Act is commenced by the Minister later this year.

The National Office will play a central role in the rollout of the Government’s ambitious new strategy for improving community safety. Working closely with Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs), the Office will be responsible for providing support, training, and guidance to local authorities to enhance community safety across Ireland. This initiative represents a key component of the Government’s broader efforts to promote inter-agency collaboration and inclusive community engagement at the local level.

The National Office will build on the work of the LCSP pilot partnerships which have been running in Longford, Waterford and Dublin’s North Inner City for the last number of years. Each has developed and published a local community safety plan and through independent monitoring and evaluation has helped inform best practice for this forthcoming national roll out.

The National Office for Community Safety will have the following functions:

Provide support to public service bodies in the implementation of the national strategy and to foster collaboration between those bodies in the provision of services to improve community safety.
Prepare annual programmes of work to support the implementation of the national strategy.
Provide training, guidance and support to LCSPs in their operation and in the performance of their functions.
Monitor the implementation of the national strategy.
Monitor the implementation of Local Community Safety Plans (which will be published by each LCSP).
Conduct or commission research and evaluations relating to any of the functions of the National Office and the operation of LCSPs.
Promote public awareness of issues affecting community safety and the work of the National Office.
Provide such information and reports as are requested by the Minister, the Steering Group and the designated committee of the Government.
Provide such other support as the Steering Group may require to perform its functions.

New Contract Sought For Automated Border Control eGates at Dublin Airport.

A new contract for Automated Border Control “eGates” services, for passport control in Dublin Airport, has been announced, which will see the upgrading of the existing eGates.

Automated Border Control eGates provide highly secure automated passport validation and security checks on passengers for passport holders from the EU/EEA, Switzerland and the UK, who are over 18 years of age; same being a “self-service” type channel to clear immigration control.

Last year, over 4 million passengers arriving at Dublin Airport, and were processed by the eGates operated by the Department’s Border Management Unit.
Securing this contract means that Dublin Airport staff can continue to process, Irish, EU and other eligible travellers, as swiftly as possible, while conducting stringent security checks on passengers and their documents.

We are informed that utilising new technology, such as Automated Border Control eGates, is paramount to delivering a secure, effective, and modern Immigration Service.

108 Newly Attested Garda Members Emerge From Tipperary Training College.

A Garda Passing-Out ceremony took place at the Garda Training College in Templemore Co. Tipperary today, where 108 newly attested Garda members were welcomed into the Garda force.

These new Garda members have now completed their training and will be assigned to Garda Divisions throughout the country.

There are currently over 14,000 Garda members now employed within the force, as per the latest available figures, each committed to building safer communities. Budget 2024, through taxpayer funding reflects this commitment to ensure that same communities remain safe and that An Garda Síochána have full resources required to operate effectively.

The budget provided by taxpayers to the Garda Commissioner, continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024.

A further batch of recruits are expected to begin training in the Garda Training College in Templemore on Monday next.

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024, Brought To Government.

A draft Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024 was yesterday brought to Government.
This legislation is expected to address an issue recently identified by the High Court in which the Court ruled that a child who commits murder, but turns 18 years old, before sentencing, should not be subject to the mandatory life sentence for murder.

Further to the High Court judgment of September 2nd, which held that the mandatory life sentence for murder cannot be imposed on ‘aged out’ children, legislative amendments have now been drafted in response, and now subject to Government approval.

These ammendments address the issue in principle that a person who commits the offence of murder when still a child, but is sentenced after their 18th birthday, cannot be treated unfairly compared to another child who commits the same offence, but is sentenced while still under 18 years of age; as the latter child, in this same situation, might not receive a life sentence.

A child or an ‘aged out’ child who commits murder may still receive a life sentence; however; it will no longer be a mandatory life sentence.

At its meeting of September 10th 2024, the Government agreed to proceed with the drafting of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024, to address this issues, which was recently identified by the High Court.

The Bill also amends section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1990, to dis-apply the mandatory minimum sentence for treason, and certain murders (e.g. of a Garda or prison officer).
An amendment to dis-apply the minimum custodial period for the offence of capital murder, to the same cohort, are also included in this Bill.

Citizenship Ceremonies At Convention Centre, Dublin, Today.

3,600 new Irish citizens will attend at Citizenship Ceremonies in the Convention Centre, Dublin.

3,600 new Irish citizens will be granted Irish citizenship in three ceremonies all taking place today, Monday September 16th, at the Convention Centre in Dublin.
The Ceremonies will see applicants from 143 countries around the world, who are residing across 32 counties on the island of Ireland, being conferred as Irish citizens.

This follows 14 such ceremonies held so far this year, with a total of 11,417 people attending and being conferred with Irish Citizenship.
The Presiding Officer at the ceremonies is retired Justice Mr Paddy McMahon, who will administer the “Declaration of Fidelity” to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the Irish State.

The Citizenship Division have introduced significant changes to speed up the applications process for applicants, including the introduction of an online digital application, online payments, and eVetting.

Over the last 2 years the Citizenship Division has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year, to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023. Already in 2024 nearly 16,000 decisions have been made in the first half of this year.

Last year, the Citizenship Division more than doubled the number of ceremonies available to applicants, with 15 held over the course of the year. This was a significant increase on 6 Citizenship Ceremonies held in 2022.

Including today, September 16th, the total number of Ceremonies held so far this year is 17, surpassing the number of ceremonies hosted in 2023. Further Ceremonies are being planned for later in the year.

New Irish citizens will undertake to faithfully observe the laws of the Irish State and to respect its democratic values.
These new Irish citizens are contributing to a diverse and inclusive workforce, bringing a range of skills and talents that enhance the overall capabilities of the labour market and the Irish economy.