Research shows increase in restorative justice referrals

There has been a year-on-year increase in restorative justice referrals from the courts, according to new research published by Maynooth University in conjunction with the Probation Service.

Victim participation in the process has also continued to increase.

Last year restorative justice referrals by courts and the Probation Service increased by 22% compared to the previous year, rising to a record high of 1,030 cases.

At least 185 of last year's cases involved direct or indirect dialogue between victims and the people who offended, a 36% increase from 2024 when there were 136 such cases.

Of the remaining cases completed last year, many involved offences without direct victims.

In others, victims may have declined to participate or were not contactable by restorative justice providers.

Fíona Ní Chinnéide Deputy Director of the Probation Service said: "The significant increase in referrals for restorative justice is both welcome and hugely positive, as it speaks to the impact restorative justice can have for victims of crime and those who have caused harm."

She said the aims of the Probation Service included repairing harm, promoting desistance from crime and making communities safer.

"This will be hugely beneficial, as restorative justice is a safe and mediated space for those who have been impacted by crime to seek answers and express how they have been affected.

"For those who have caused harm, it's a challenging and controlled environment in which to understand the real impact of their actions," she said.

She said taking meaningful responsibility could help people convicted of crimes to reintegrate once they have served their sentence.

The Probation Service's action plan on restorative justice which began last year involved supporting community projects, to ensure these services are available in every county in Ireland.

Last year, specialist restorative justice projects were provided for the first time in counties including Donegal, Sligo, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth.

Leading the research, Dr Ian Marder Associate Professor in Criminology at Maynooth University said: "It is great to see data suggesting that judges and probation officers are making greater use of restorative justice. Restorative justice has a strong evidence base.

"It can help victims recover from crime, meet victims’ needs and support people to stop committing crime."

He said further investment was needed to ensure that more victims and offenders were given the oppportunity to participate.

There were just 721 restorative justice referrals made in 2019, when these figures began to be recorded annually as part of this research.

Following a drop off during the Covid-19 pandemic the numbers of cases have continued to climb.

The study also collected data on An Garda Síochána’s use of restorative justice with youth cautions.

The data suggest there were 369 restorative youth cautions in 2025, up 23.8% from 298 restorative youth cautions in 2024.

As well as the Probation Service, six community-based organisations offer restorative justice services.

These include the Athy Alternative Project, the Cornmarket Project, Le Chéile Mentoring, Northwest Restorative Justice Service, Restorative Justice in the Community and Restorative Justice Services.

Budget 2026 provided for a 13% increase in funding for the Probation Service.

The Department of Justice said the additional funding would be used to increase the use of supervised community sanctions in the criminal courts, expand restorative justice services and to expand supervised temporary release schemes across Ireland.