Pat is the new garda youth scheme officer

UP TO 90% of young offenders who participate in a Garda youth scheme do not re-offend, Drogheda’s new Juvenile Liaison Officer has said.

Garda Pat Kelly (left), who has been based in the Boyneside for the past 27 years, was appointed to the new position recently, where he succeeds Garda Joe Delaney, who has retired from the force.

Central to his post is the operation of the Garda Juvenile Diversion Liaison Programme, which gives young people a second chance to stay out of trouble and also steers them away from the court system.

And with a new Child Care Bill expected to be approved by Government shortly, it is expected that more resources will be pumped into the whole area of juvenile liaison.

A native of Offaly but living for many years in Stameen with his wife and family, he has been a prominent figure in the development of minor GAA.

Currently lending his talents to St. Colmcille’s GFC, he is also a selector for the Meath U-15 and U-16 squads.

Twelve of the 22-strong St. Mary’s Diocesan School panel which recently won a senior championship, are St. Colmcille’s club members.

Pat’s two sons are also heavily involved in the sport - Ronan being on Meath’s U-21 panel and Conor on the U-18 Meath panel and the Irish panel for an Australian rules scries which kicks off next month.