Source: (2013) The Irish Review of Community Economic Development Law and Policy. 2(1):6-20.
In December 2009 the Final Report of the National Commission on Restorative Justice (NCRJ) was published. The
NCRJ stated that the introduction of restorative justice into the Irish criminal justice system would provide “a positive
contribution to the lives of all citizens, especially those connected to offending behaviour.†Over three years have
passed since the NCRJ presented its Final Report. Up to this point restorative justice in Ireland has been legislated for
at a youth justice level only. At an adult level, restorative justice operates through two local community schemes in
Nenagh in County Tipperary, and Tallaght in south Dublin. This paper will review the work undertaken by the NCRJ as
well as outlining the development of restorative justice in Ireland at a youth justice level (as per the Children Act 2001)
and an adult level. The authors will also critically examine what has happened since the NCRJ recommended that “a
restorative perspective be introduced nationally into the Irish criminal justice system.†(author’s abstract)
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