BYC.J. MCGINLEY

THE legal measures aimed at counteracting anti-social behaviour, known as ASBO's which came into force yesterday (Thursday) for under eighteen year olds will only be issued for persistent offenders.

This was messagefrom Letterkenny based Garda Inspector Pat O'Donnell who said ASBO's would only be issued as 'a last resort and when everything else had failed'. The orders are being brought into operation for children of at least 12 and below 18 years.

Speaking to the Donegal News Inspector O'Donnell said ASBO's were being enacted to protect the quality of life of the community and were for 'the greater good'.

"The ASBO will only be issued when all other mechanisms at our disposal have been exhausted and there is repeat offences and the individual is non compliant. They will only be issued in the most serious of cases. The vast majority of young people are well behaved but there are a number of youngsters who are persistent offenders. I don't see too many being issued here in Donegal," he said.

"Over the years they were dealt with through the Juvenile Courts where curfews or bail conditions were put in place or they were referred to the Garda Diversion Programme. The ASBO is another part of this concept," he added.

Inspector O'Donnell stressed there were a number of steps which must be taken before an application for an ASBO for a child can be made.

These include a written warning, a meeting involving parents and gardaí, a good behaviour contract, and a possible referral to the Garda Youth Diversion programme.

"If at the end of this the Superintendent feels there is still a risk of the child continuing the

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