Going to Court, a guide for young people’
launched in Letterkenny 3rd March 2020
The Court House in Letterkenny was the venue for the launch of ‘Going to Court, a guide for young people’ on Friday morning. The guide was developed by Donegal Children & Young People Services Committee (CYPSC) to support young people who may come in contact with the court service. Donegal CYPSC members were joined by Court Services staff, Probation Service staff, Garda Síochána and Donegal Youth Service to mark the launch.
Commenting on the new resource, Anne Timony Meehan, Donegal CYPSC Coordinator said “The ‘Going to Court Guide for Young People’ is an initiative from the CYPSC Safe & Secure Subcommittee led by Gareth Gibson, Donegal Youth Service, Geoffrey McGonagle Court Services, Michael Harrison Garda Siochana and most importantly with the participation of young people. It was developed to support young people who come in contact with the Court services and to reduce any anxiety or stress they may feel. It covers topics such as types of courts, what happens after someone commits a crime, being called as a witness or as a victim of crime or as a defendant. It covers legal terms, giving evidence, who will be in the court room and what they do.”
Garda Michael Harrison, speaking on behalf of the Safe & Secure Subcommittee explained “The purpose of the booklet is to provide advice for all young people who may have to go to court either as a witness, injured party or defendant. Court can be a very a frightening place for an adult never mind a child or young person who has to attend and give evidence for whatever reason. By reading this booklet we hope to reduce the anxiety that children experience when attending court.”
Launching the guide, Judge Kelly said “When you launch a book you want everyone to read it, but this is a book that I hope no young person will ever need. It sets out in a very clear and easy to understand way the court process and everyone’s role in it. The booklet is a very worthwhile initiative by Donegal CYPSC and the Donegal Youth Service and it is also thanks to the support of the Department of Children and Youth affairs that it was published.”
The Going to Court Guide is funded by the ‘Better Outcomes Brighter Futures Fund’ from the Department of Children & Youth Affairs.
For further information contact:
anne.timonymeehan@tusla.ie / 087 3527651
From left rear – Anita Toner Court Services, Frankie McCreevey Donegal Youth Services, Garda Michael Harrison, Anne Duke Probation Service, Gareth Gibson Donegal Youth Service, Anne Timony Meehan Donegal CYPSC Coordinator,
Donegal CYPSC News:
To keep up to date on activities in County Donegal See:
facebook@CYPSCDonegal
The Directory of Disability Services in Donegal & the Donegal CYPSC bi-lingual info leaflet
were launched on 10th October 2018 as part of the celebrations around the launch of the Donegal Children & Young People's Plan 2018-2020. This Directory was compiled and produced as a collaborative project with the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation in Doneal town, who have also taken on the task of updating the Directory on a Bi-annual basis.
For inclusion in the Directory please contact info@bluestackfoundation.com
See Local Resources for further info on the Launch and Learning Seminar
Click here to download the Directory of Disability Services in Donegal
Click here to download the Donegal CYPSC Info leaflet
The Donegal Parent Hub
The Parent Hub, Donegal was set up in 2013 by the Donegal Children’s Services Committee to look at Parent Support Needs in County Donegal.
Please Click here to view www.parenthubdonegal.ie
Young Carers Project Donegal
‘You are not alone’ Film
This short film was produced by members of the Donegal Youth Council in partnership with Donegal Youth Service to highlight the issue of young carers in Donegal and the new support service now available for young carers in the county. The project was funded by the Carers Association of Ireland.
Click here to view the full length film.
To find another CYPSC click here.
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