Derry CRJ - Accepting responsibility
by Ned Kelly
As part of our ongoing articles on Community Restorative Justice -
Restoring Justice to the Community, An Phoblacht spoke to Derry CRJ
coordinator Paddy O'Carroll who outlined the development of the CRJ
project in Derry.
``In late 1997 community activists and residents from the Bogside and
Brandywell in Derry gathered to talk about anti-social activity and
vandalism, particularly leading up to and immediately after the 15
August bonfires.
``There was a general consensus that the local community had to
respond and to some extent take responsibility for it.
``From this starting point, and following numerous meetings and
discussions, a public meeting attended by community activists, local
residents and youth workers covering issues such as the misuse of
fireworks, joy riding, break-ins wash held. There was general
agreement that any initiative would need the support, co-operation
and participation of the community in order to achieve both
credibility and success,'' said Mr O'Carroll.
``It was also accepted that there could be no quick-fix solutions to
the problems. So people were committing themselves to a process that
would inevitably be long-term.''
``During the initial discussion we were made aware of a document on
Restorative Justice printed by NIACRO [the blue book]. After official
contact with the authors, including Mike Ritchie and Jim Auld
[overall CRJ coordinator], they came to Derry to discuss the concept
of Restorative Justice.''
``This proved to be the beginning of a partnership between Derry and
Belfast and now we have regular meetings with the people involved
with the pilot projects in the New Lodge in North Belfast and Upper
Springfield and Poleglass in West Belfast.''
``From a series of public meetings to raise awareness and gather
opinions there arose several key points. There was a very real need
for something to be done and that anti-social crime was increasing.
There was and still is, the distrust of the RUC who are either unable
or unwilling to deal with the issues. And the belief that beatings
were not the solution.''
``To an extent we are faced with an almost total breakdown in
community relations. And in this respect Restorative Justice is
another extension of community development. You can not have
community development on the one hand whilst having anti-community
destruction on the other. Restorative Justice compliments a whole
range of community issues.''
``Part of our development was a training course with NIACRO and a
introductory training manual was produced. Using that training in the
Brandywell, 10 people who volunteered to make up the Brandywell Area
Safety Committee have now completed the course.''
``Our next step is to heighten awareness, by knocking doors,
distributing leaflets and getting people involved. We hope to consult
the community to get their ideas for a community charter, a pledge
that we hope everyone will sign up to.''
``We have just opened an office in Westend Park, and although poorly
equipped and working on a shoe-string, it will be, or serve as a
contact point where people from the Brandywell can call and express
their particular problems or concerns.''
``During the development of our CRJ pilot project Donnie Sweeny and
myself took the time to consult most, if not all of the statutory
agencies and were encouraged by the responses. It is important to
build on both their and the communities' belief and confidence that
we are honest, transparent, open and committed to solely peaceful
means to deal with these problems. We are accepting our
responsibility.''
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