Book now: The 11th Irish Criminal Justice Agencies Conference focussing on 'Youth Justice in Motion: Prevention, Intervention, Contribution' will take place on Friday, 10th October 2025 in Dublin.
See Programme information and Booking details below.
About the Conference
Summary
This year’s Irish Criminal Justice Agencies (ICJA) conference explores the evolving landscape of youth justice through the lens of movement and progress. From early prevention efforts that tackle the root causes of offending, to effective interventions that support young people in crisis, and finally to recognising their contributions as active agents of change — we’ll examine how the system can better respond to, and grow with, the needs of young people. Join us for thought-provoking discussions, innovative ideas, and practical solutions that keep youth justice moving forward.
Further detail
Youth Justice in Motion: Prevention, Intervention, Contribution captures the dynamic and evolving nature of youth justice today. This theme recognises that justice for young people is not static – it is a system in constant motion, shaped by new research, emerging challenges, policy reforms, and the lived experiences of young people themselves. It invites reflection on the entire journey through the youth justice system, from early preventative work to active interventions, and ultimately, to recognising the meaningful contributions young people can make to their communities and to the justice system itself.
Prevention is the foundation of an effective youth justice approach. It focuses on addressing the root causes of offending – including social inequality, trauma, education gaps, and lack of support – before young people come into contact with the justice system. This aspect of the theme urges us to think creatively and collaboratively about how we can build safer, more supportive environments where young people are empowered to thrive and avoid criminalisation altogether.
Intervention speaks to the critical work done once a young person is already involved in the justice system. It encompasses a wide spectrum of practices, from diversionary programmes to restorative justice, rehabilitation, and care. At its best, intervention is holistic, trauma-informed, and centred on the unique needs and potential of each young person. This part of the theme challenges us to evaluate the effectiveness of current interventions and to innovate where needed.
Contribution is perhaps the most forward-looking element of the theme. It shifts the narrative from seeing young people solely as subjects of justice to recognising them as active agents of change. This includes amplifying their voices in shaping policy, involving them in restorative practices, and supporting their reintegration and leadership. By focusing on contribution, we acknowledge the capacity of young people to grow, transform, and influence the very systems designed to support them.
Together, these three pillars form a call to action – to keep youth justice in motion through continuous learning, cross-sector collaboration, and a commitment to justice that is both compassionate and effective.
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About the annual ICJA conference
The annual Irish Criminal Justice Agencies (ICJA) Conference is a collaboration of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, The Courts Service, An Garda Síochána, the Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA), the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Parole Board and the Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development (ACJRD). The lead partner for 2025 is Oberstown Children Detention Campus.
Programme: The 11th Irish Criminal Justice Agencies Conference
The conference will be launched by Kevin McCarthy, Secretary General, Department of Children, Disability & Equality. The conference programme includes a session on Youth Justice in Motion with Koulla Yiasouma, Chairperson, and Damien Hernon, Director, of Oberstown Children Detention Campus, along with Derek Byrne, CEO of Way2Work Ireland. This will be followed by a discussion on 25 Years of the Children Act – Taking Stock with The Hon. Mr. Justice Paul Kelly, President of the District Court; Dr. Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children; and Prof. Nessa Lynch, University College Cork. This discussion will be facilitated by Gerry Curran, Media Relations Advisor the the Courts Service and President of the National Union of Journalists.
Delegates will participate in parallel Thematic Sessions covering the following topics:
1. The Continuum of Young Lives with Gráinne Berrill, Director, National Office for Community Safety, Ronan McLoughlin, Assistant Principal, Young Person's Probation, Probation Service; Chief Superintendent Paul Franey, An Garda Síochána.
2. Girls, Gender and Justice with Dr. Gilly Sharpe, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of Sheffield, Saoirse Brady, Executive Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust and Michelle Griffin, Oberstown Children Detention Centre.
3. Digital Justice and Online Harm with Niamh Hodnett, Online Safety Commissioner, Coimisiún na Meán; Aaron Swift, Principal Specialist Psychologist, National Inter-Agency Prevention Programme and Wayne Denner, Online Safety Educator.
Event details
Date: Friday, 10th October 2025
Time: All day
Location: The Great Hall, Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 FW31 (entrance via the Baroque Chapel).
Booking
Criminal Justice Agencies and ACJRD members will get priority in the registration process and therefore there will be limited public access availability. Should you wish to, you can take out ACJRD membership here. A waiting list of those non-members who wish to attend will appear as an option once tickets are sold out.
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ACJRD members can book via Eventbrite at this link: https://ICJA2025-YouthJustice.eventbrite.ie. Due to level of demand we have limited tickets to two per ACJRD Member organisation; however, please add yourself to the waiting list if you require more, as we will release tickets if we receive cancellations.
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Staff of criminal justice agencies and partner organisations, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details of the contact person within your organisation.
- Booking will open to non-members on 24 September if there is availability. Again, please add yourself to the waiting list as we will release tickets if we receive cancellations.
- ISL Interpretation is available by request, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you require this service. If you would like to avail of ISL interpretation we would appreciate an early booking to facilitate the interpreter arrangements by Monday 29th September.
- CPD Points: Attendance at the event may qualify for CPD points. Qualification is determined by the points’ issuer. ACJRD is happy to provide certificates of attendance on request. For GDPR purposes, attendance lists will be deleted after 12 months and it will no longer be possible to provide certificates of attendance after that. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. after the event if you will require a certificate of attendance.
- Photographs are taken ACJRD's event, please let a member of ACJRD's team know if you do not want your photo taken.
- ACJRD will send updates via our mailing list. If you would like to sign up for our mailing list, please click here.
