A garda scheme to stop young people engaging in criminal behaviour will today see 36 teenagers take part in an outdoor activities project in Co Roscommon.
The Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, will also visit the youths on the activities-led weekend project in Lough Keel in Boyle, which is designed to help young people stay on the right side of the law during their must vulnerable years.
Around 36 young people, aged from 12 to 16-years, have been selected from Garda Youth Diversion Projects in Dublin, Limerick, Waterford, Roscommon, Ballina and Sligo to take part in the weekend activities in the park.
There are 64 youth diversion projects operating across the country which are administered by local gardai and backed by Department of Justice funds of almost €5.4 million.
The trip to the forest park at Lough Keel was organised by Garda Community Relations Section and North Connaught Regional Youth Service, with each of the individual projects around the country managed by a multi-agency and community-based committee.
The projects are designed to improve the long-term employability prospects of the participants while improving Garda and community relations.