Over 200 people availed of restorative justice in Limerick since 2019

OVER 200 people have engaged in restorative justice (RJ) in Limerick since 2019 with year-on-year figures on the rise. That’s according to new research from the Maynooth University which reports a year-on-year increase in restorative justice referrals and victim participation. Under the Victims of Crime Act 2017, victims are entitled to information about RJ and the service if it is available in their area. In Limerick, Le Chéile offers these services to people before the courts, and is one of five probation funded community-based organisations (CBOs) who provide restorative justice interventions across the country. The child-centred service based in the Southill Hub recruits and trains volunteers from local communities to work with young people and families. It also provides mentoring services to children and young people engaged in Young Persons Probation. Le Chéile currently runs an RJ project, funded by the Limerick Regeneration Project, now under Limerick City and County Council and Young Person’s Probation. In 2018, it was the first RJ project set up as a pilot in Limerick, working mainly with 12 to 18 year olds. However due to rising demand, this has been extended to all age groups in recent months. In 2025, the organisation saw 53 referrals for RJ, including 12 to those under 18. Out of these referrals, 49 individuals completed a Victim Empathy Programme or wrote a letter of apology to the victim. Three individuals met face-to-face, while 15 engaged in other forms of dialogue with victims, including three who were under 18. Six of these victims who were contacted declined to take part, whilst another 32 victims could not be contacted. The Limerick-led service had the highest number of referrals last year outside of Restorative Justice Services (490), Restorative Justice in the Community (236), and the probation service (166). Since 2019, 213 people have engaged with RJ services. There were a total of 21 young people aged 12-21 who were referred to RJ services in 2019 participating across multiple programmes including victim empathy and reparation. In 2020, that figure dropped slightly to 26 and remained at 21 referrals in 2021 and 2023, with 12 new referrals recorded for 2022. In 2024, records of face-to-face dialogue between victims and offenders were highlighted. Two out of the 28 victims engaged in this process. Nationally, RJ referrals exceed well over 1,000 per year in 2025, excluding those made by members of An Garda Síochána (1399). This marks a 22.3 per cent year-on-year increase, up from 842 referrals in 2024. The report also highlighted 185 restorative justice processes completed involving direct or indirect dialogue between the victim and the person who offended against them in 2025. This is a 36 per cent year-on-year increase compared with the 136 cases identified as involving victims in a restorative process in 2024. Dr Ian Marder, Associate Professor in Criminology, Maynooth University and Research Lead of the report said: “It is great to see data suggesting that judges and probation officers are making greater use of restorative justice. Restorative justice has a strong evidence base: it can help victims recover from crime, meet victims’ needs and support people to stop committing crime.” “More investment is required to ensure all victims and offenders are offered the opportunity to participate voluntarily in restorative justice,” Dr Marder added. Fíona Ní Chinnéide, Deputy Director, Probation Service, commented: “The significant increase in referrals for restorative justice is both welcome and hugely positive, as it speaks to the impact restorative justice can have for victims of crime and those who have caused harm”. “Repairing harm, promoting distance, and making communities safer are central to the core work of the Probation Service. In line with the Probation Service’s Restorative Justice Action Plan 2025-2027, restorative justice can now be accessed in every county. Provision and access will increase as community-based organisations, funded by the Probation Service, expand their reach”. She adds: “Ultimately, this will be hugely beneficial, as restorative justice is a safe and mediated space for those who have been impacted by crime to seek answers and express how they have been affected. For those who have caused harm, it’s a challenging and controlled environment in which to understand the real impact of their actions, take meaningful responsibility and chart a path to reintegration while making worthwhile and positive contributions.” And for Limerick and the rest of the country, improvements for voluntary restorative justice programmes will continue to be rolled out according to the 2025 Programme for Government. The Probation Service’s Restorative Justice Action Plan for 2025-2027 outlines plans to expand service provision, increase restorative justice referrals, and collaborate with organisations across the criminal justice sector to improve access to restorative justice. – Court Reporting Scheme The post Over 200 people availed of restorative justice in Limerick since 2019 appeared first on Limerick Post.