ASBOs come into effect today
The controversial new Anti-Social Behaviour Orders or ASBOs for adults will come into force today for the first time.
Senior gardaí can now apply to the District Court for an ASBO against anyone perceived to be causing intimidating or threatening behaviour to others.
An Anti Social Behaviour Order can be issued by a judge against someone if a garda of a superintendent rank or higher applies for one against an adult who was harassing, persistently alarming, distressing, intimidating or causing fear to another person.
Failure to comply with an ASBO may trigger a fine of up to €3,000 or jail sentence of up to six months.
Gardaí have told the government that their computer system will not be ready to process the new orders for several months and so ASBOS will have to be processed manually in the meantime.
They are being criticised by non-governmental organisations, the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Children's Ombudsman who say ASBOS threaten to prosecute people for behaviour which is not usually treated as criminal.
