Some 67 people were able to avoid jail sentences or criminal convictions by taking part in a pilot programme aimed at making offenders more aware of the impact of their actions on themselves and the community.
The Offender Reparation Programme, which was launched last year, allows people charged with public order and minor criminal offences at Tallaght District Court to take a series of actions, from paying compensation to victims to writing letters of apology.
They are given a choice at their first court hearing to take part in the programme, as opposed to the normal criminal conviction, fine and possible jail sentence.
A case worker is appointed to the offender and then meets a three-member committee from the Restorative Justice Committee, chaired by a community representative and including Garda and Probation Service representatives.
The committee agrees a series of reparation actions, which can include letters of apology to victims or arresting gardaí, compensation to the owners of property damaged during an incident, taking part in alcohol- or drugs-awareness programmes and donations to charity.
An offender may also be asked to write an essay or journal about the impact of their crime on themselves, their family and the community.
If the offender takes part in the programme in full, a report is made by the committee to the court, and the Probation Act is applied.
Introducing the report on the programme's first year, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said reparation was not an easy option.
"As we are all aware, the attention of the public and the media usually focuses on prison and custodial sentences for offenders, to the detriment of community-based options, like this one, which, I believe, seriously challenge offenders to take responsibility and make necessary positive changes to ensure they do not continue in a criminal lifestyle," he said.
"In my view, this is no easy option. It requires the offender to not only reflect on and take responsibility for his/her offence but to commit to restorative actions. There is, therefore, built-in accountability. None of us wishes to see young people's lives blighted by one mistake, and this process allows them to learn and move on without the stigma of a criminal conviction."
Last year 70 people took part in the programme, with 67 completing it to the satisfaction of the District Court, and just over €17,000 was donated to charity.
Peter Kealy, the director of Restorative Justice Services, which runs the programme, said said it was an "effective, fair and balanced approach" to public-order offences.
He said it provided an opportunity for people who came before the courts to "take responsibility for their offending behaviour, repair the harm done and make positive choices and changes for the future".