Senior judge expresses concern over court treatment of children

The President of the District Court, Judge Rosemary Horgan, has expressed concern over children’s treatment before the courts.

Judge Horgan told an education and law conference that children before the courts may come across as “inherently disrespectful, defiant or anti-social but their behaviour would be better understood in the context of a traumatic stress disorder”, The Irish Times reports.

She raised concerns about subjecting children in child abuse investigations to multiple interviews.

Judge Horgan also said children’s stress could be compounded by inappropriate language, repeated testimony, face to face contact with the accused, and constant court delays and adjournments.

Conor O’Mahony, deputy director of the Child Law Clinic at University College Cork (UCC), told Irish Legal News: “Judge Horgan’s remarks highlight just one aspect of many where the Irish legal system needs to become more child-friendly.

“Children must be afforded the opportunity to participate, but for this to happen effectively, the environment must be adjusted to make allowances for the capacity, maturity and vulnerability of each individual child.

“While some modest progress has been made in some areas in recent years, full implementation of Ireland’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child will require a combination of law reform measures, training for professionals and the provision of dedicated and specialised facilities.”