Wipe criminal record for minor offences to give people a chance

A motion calling for the minor convictions people had in the past to be removed from a person’s record when they are looking for a job was supported at the meeting.

Cllr Davy Hynes called on the council members to appeal to the Department of Justice to ensure that the ‘spent convictions’ under the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016, that the measures are followed through for people who are applying for employment and are needing garda vetting.’

Cllr Hynes said there are people who have convictions for over seven years who are being refused jobs. ‘There are people who have committed certain crimes, not major crimes, in their youth. To allow these people to get ahead in life and have some kind of life that their conviction goes off their garda vetting form.’

Cllr Hynes said he knows a young man who got into trouble in his late teens, but went on to get a degree only to lose out on a job because of a conviction he had. ‘It was actually an erroneous conviction but it stuck him in his tracks. This is to give people a second chance.’

Cllr Tony Walsh seconded the motion, saying that over the past 30 years there has been a problem reintegrating people into society once they leave prison.

‘The work the prison service do is amazing. People come out with skills and masters degrees and yet it still doesn’t end because of the stigma attached to the conviction. We should be conscious of helping people secure work and rebuild their life as it’s crucial to breaking the cycle.’

Cllr Michael Whelan expressed concern about what Cllr Hynes meant by minor crimes, asking if domestic violence would be included in that.

‘It doesn’t cover murders or major crimes,’ Cllr Hynes elucidated.

The motion was carried.