Alcohol-related offences were the most common among young people referred to the Garda's juvenile diversion programme, figures published yesterday show. Eight per cent of them were aged 12 or younger.
The annual report from the committee appointed to monitor the effectiveness of the diversion programme indicates the number of young people referred to the National Juvenile Office last year increased by just over 600 to 17,656, compared with 2003.
Alcohol-related cases made up 20 per cent of the office's caseload last year. Taken together, theft (18 per cent), criminal damage (10 per cent) and burglaries (5 per cent), they made up more than half (53 per cent) of total offences.
The highest proportion of offenders referred to the National Juvenile Office (27 per cent) were aged 17, while 25 per cent were aged 16; 19 per cent were aged 15; 12 per cent were aged 14; 8 per cent were aged 13; 4 per cent were aged 12, and 4 per cent were under 12.
At the publication of the report yesterday, Minister of State for Children Brian Lenihan said there was scope to strengthen further action on youth offending.
