IMPACT attacks GRA boss over comments
The IMPACT trade union has criticised remarks made by Greg Fogarty, the president of the Garda Representative Association, at a conference in Cork this week.
Mr Fogarty accused the courts of being lenient on criminals through bail, probation orders, small fines and inadequate sentences, but IMPACT, which represents probation and welfare officers, said the comments must have come from a lack of understanding of the situation.
Union spokesman Paddy O’Dea said probation is proven to be more effective than prison in reducing re-offending.
Mr O'Dea said: "Nobody is being naive, nobody is being daft and nobody is saying that there aren't persistent offenders that are best dealt with in custody."
He continued: "“We are saying that, [for] a lot of public order offenders, a lot of larceny offenders, the valid sanction of the court, which is probation, is a more appropriate way of dealing with them."
