Montague welcomes award for Strive Ballymun

Labour spokesperson on Community Affairs, Andrew Montague has welcomed the recognition given to Strive Ballymun where they will receive the Public Protection award from the Confederation of European Probation tonight.

Mr Montague said:

“The Confederation of European Probation will tonight award the Public Protection award to Strive Ballymun, a multi-agency response to crime that I spearheaded in my local community.

“Strive is a crime prevention programme that has identified the most prolific offenders in our community, and brings together a range of organisations to use every means possible to reduce the offences committed by these prolific offenders.

“The Gardaí, the probation service and the prison service can bring the full force of the law on offenders that are identified, while community agencies such as the Ballymun Job Centre, the Ballymun Drugs Task Force, and Dublin City Council can offer more positive pathways for those that cooperate and desist from offending.

“Drug dealing, violent crime, burglary and antisocial behaviour are devastating many communities across Ireland. In most cases a small number of offenders cause most of the problems, and Strive Ballymun is an attempt to curtail the activities of this group.

“Since Strive started in 2016, we have seen many of these repeat offenders desist completely from crime and take up jobs. Others have reduced the seriousness of their criminal activity, but there are, however, others that continue in criminality. That is where the three justice agencies work together to seek criminal sanctions and prison sentences.

“It is gratifying that the Confederation of European Probation have recognised the innovative work in Ballymun with this Public Protection award for Strive Ballymun.”