New protocol launched for cases involving children
21st February 2025
16 signatories to protocol agreeing to reduce time taken to process such cases– 52 weeks set as a goal for cases involving children to be investigated and finalised.
A wide-ranging Juvenile Protocol for dealing with rape and murder cases involving children was launched today by the Minister for Justice, Mr Jim O’Callaghan T.D. in the Criminal Courts of Justice, Parkgate Street Dublin.
The event was hosted by the High Court President, Mr Justice David Barniville, and the Minister for Justice, Catherine Pierce, the Director of Public Prosecutions, An Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, and Mr Justice Paul McDermott of the Central Criminal Court all spoke at the launch.
The protocol was developed by representatives of agencies, organisations and judiciary chaired by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, of the Central Criminal Court.
The 16 signatories to the protocol including the Department of Justice cover a wide range of agencies, organisations and the judiciary involved in the criminal justice system. This itself is unique and unprecedented.
Pictured at the Juvenile Protocol launch were the President of the High Court Mr Justice David Barniville, Director of Public Prosecutions, Catherine Pierse, Mr Justice Paul McDermott, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.
Background:
The protocol recognises the undisputed fact that delays in the criminal justice system are detrimental to child victims and child defendants. It recognises the vulnerability of those children and the impact that delays in the system can have on their lives as well as on the fairness of the court process.
The signatories to the protocol have demonstrated their commitment to supporting children throughout the criminal justice process. The purpose of the protocol is to set out and detail the working arrangements between the signatories to achieve the objective of expediting cases involving child victims and child defendants.
In signing the protocol, the signatories have marked their commitment to seek to promote and respect children’s rights in accordance with current international best practice (as envisaged by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) and in accordance with the Children Act 2001.
The protocol also seeks to promote key strategies for reducing the harmful effects on children of contact with the criminal justice system and to minimise the stress and emotional impact of the system on children. It seeks to promote the strengthening of the criminal justice system through improved cooperation between the various agencies involved.
