New local policing bodies, including councillors, gardaí and voluntary workers, should have the power to force criminals to apologise to their victims, Sinn Féin Kerry North TD Martin Ferris has said.
A meeting of Tralee's joint policing committee, one of 22 pilots to be set up in the State as part of reforms introduced by the 2005 Garda Síochána Act, holds its first meeting later this month.
The 22 bodies are to "serve as a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations", examine local patterns of crime and anti-social behaviour, including alcohol and drugs, and identify the issues contributing to local crime levels.
The committees are to include gardaí, local authority staff, councillors, members of the Oireachtas and community representatives, though Sinn Féin complained during Dáil debate on the legislation that more community leaders should be appointed.
Calling for Northern Ireland-style community restorative justice, Mr Ferris said the Tralee body would face a difficult task in curbing anti-social behaviour in the north Kerry town.
Gangs are robbing locals, while intimidation and vandalism occur in some housing estates, said Mr Ferris, who will sit on the committee along with Sinn Féin Tralee Urban District Council members Cathal Foley and Maisie Houlihan.
Blaming a small number of "thugs", Mr Ferris said that he had to "personally intervene" in two housing estates in the town in the last few weeks to curb anti-social behaviour.
"A community restorative justice-type system should be introduced where perpetrators of crime have to face up to the con-sequences of their actions and are held to account by their victims," he said.
"I believe that this committee will face a difficult task in dealing with the major issues in the town. I don't want to sound alarmist but we can't ignore the fact this is happening."
Plans to expand community restorative justice schemes in Northern Ireland have been delayed following complaints from the SDLP and others that Sinn Féin is trying to set up an alternative police force.
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Michael McDowell currently enjoyed too much power over the membership of the new bodies, Sinn Féin complained last night.
They will be prevented from examining "specific investigations or matters of public security", and the Minister and the Garda Commissioner are not required to heed their views.
Furthermore, a committee should monitor each Garda district.