An association that represents retailers and property owners in Dublin city centre has called for US-style community courts to reduce crime in the city.
Mr Paul McElearney of the Dublin City Business Association (DCBA) called for a system similar to the Manhattan Community Courts system, which he claimed has reduced caseload and prison overcrowding.
"Dublin is actually one of the safest cities in the world; however. there is a persistent problem with the misdemeanours crimes such as alcohol-related public disorder, vandalism, graffiti, drug offences etc. We believe that misdemeanours should be dealt with in a community court, where the result is not a jail term but restorative justice using the 'offender pays' principle.
"The solution to this problem is not putting people in prison but making them pay back to the community their offence against the community," Mr McElearney said.