Slow and steady progress: developing restorative justice in the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the development of restorative justice in Ireland since the publication of the Final Report of the National Commission on Restorative Justice in 2009. It argues that although the development of restorative justice in Ireland has progressed slowly, it has also progressed steadily. There are still obstacles in the path of developing a restorative justice framework on a national level for both adult and young offenders, however, all signs indicate that these obstacles can and will be overcome in the future. Design/methodology/approach – The research for this paper was primarily a review of the very limited literature on restorative justice in Ireland. Findings – The development of restorative justice in Ireland has undergone slow and steady progress over the last decade. While a great deal of work is still needed before restorative justice can be rolled out nationally, the progress that has been made suggests that there is a real future for restorative justice in Ireland. Research limitations/implications – Statistics on restorative justice in Ireland are very limited and referral numbers are still lower than what they should be. Practical implications – Any research on restorative justice in Ireland will highlight the fact that more research and analysis is needed, especially in terms of measuring recidivism of offenders who take part in restorative practices. Originality/value – This paper adds to the growing literature on restorative justice in Ireland.