Legislation targeting adults who groom children into crime now in force

Helen McEntee

The Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Act 2024, which makes it an offence for an adult to either force or encourage children to engage in any criminal activity, was commenced by justice minister Helen McEntee this morning.

Those found guilty of the new offences may face imprisonment of up to 12 months on summary conviction and up to five years on indictment.

The legislation has been informed by the Greentown Programme, which is being implemented by the University of Limerick in partnership with the government and aims to investigate the involvement of children in criminality and to establish interventions to tackle the problem.

Mrs McEntee said: “This important legislation will criminalise adults who are ruining young people’s lives and blighting their communities by forcing or enticing them into criminal lifestyles.

“While offending might start small, it often snowballs into something more serious and suddenly there is no way out for a young person whose life can become plagued by debts, fear and intimidation.

“It will be an important tool in the arsenal of gardaí to disrupt criminal networks and pursue those who use vulnerable young people to keep their own hands clean, complementing the holistic intervention work already underway through the Greentown programme.”

James Browne, the minister of state with responsibility for youth justice, added: “Young people may be coerced, forced or enticed by promises of wealth and social status, but what may seem like a quick way to make money or even as something glamourous or cool, very typically turns sour.

“A criminal conviction can seriously affect young people’s opportunities to travel abroad, to gain access to education or work, all of which can set people onto worse paths.

“This legislation will help to prevent the next generation from being used and abused by criminal gangs, and will contribute to the building of safer, stronger communities. ”