On August 20, 2026, our family’s life changed irrevocably. My 15-year-old son fell victim to a prolonged  barbaric and unprovoked group attack. He was randomly targeted by up to 15 young men as he made his way the short distance to his friends house after exiting from the car of his friends Dad who had just dropped him off.  He was in an area known to me as safe.  His attackers struck him on the back of his head, then ruthlessly pursued him. His desperate attempts to escape were thwarted as they viciously knocked him down. As he repeatedly attempted to rise from his knees they heartlessly held him down, relentlessly kicking and punching him in the face and head. As my son pleaded with his attackers to stop, his pleas were met with laughter. Shockingly, they callously recorded his suffering, distributing the footage for their amusement. 

I do not know how my son withstood the attack to be still with me today but I do know the next victim might not be lucky enough to survive.

This horrifying incident is not an isolated case. We are witnessing an alarming rise in youth violence, with minors committing severe offences that leave enduring scars on victims, their families, and entire communities. These acts of violence are increasingly being recorded and shared on social media as a form of entertainment or as tokens of status among peers, escalating the trauma for victims and their families.

Our current juvenile justice laws, however, are ill-equipped to deal with the severity and frequency of such incidents. Under the current system, young offenders often do not face adequate consequences for their actions, emboldening them and others to perpetrate further violence without fear of real repercussions. My sons attack took place in daylight. His attackers could clearly see his face bleeding & wounds form as they continued kicking & punching his face & head. In the recordings they can be clearly heard laughing at his injuries & distress as they continued their attack.

We must take urgent action to reform Ireland's juvenile justice system. These reforms should aim to introduce more appropriate penalties for severe juvenile offences, ensure that serious acts of violence are prosecuted effectively, and establish preventive measures that deter young people from engaging in such conduct.

By reforming the system, we can provide justice for victims, rehabilitate offenders responsibly, and most importantly, prevent these terrible acts from happening to others. This change is not just necessary, it is critical to protecting our children and communities from the devastating impact of youth violence.

In addition to our Government Reforming the Juvenile Laws every Representative of Juvenile Sports should be accountable in introducing policies or upholding policies that ensure juveniles who are the subject of a formal warning, sanction, charge or finding arising from serious violence is suspended with reinstatement subject to evidence of rehabilitation, engagement with support services & positive behavioural change.  This is not intended as punishment alone or a permanent exclusion from a club / sport but as recognition that those representing communities should demonstrate respect, discipline & good conduct.  Evidence of positive behavioural change should be rewarded with reinstatement.  Sport plays a powerful role in shaping young people. Children selected to represent their club or county are often viewed as role models and at the very least club & county jerseys should be worn with pride, privilege,  responsibility & respect.  It is not acceptable that a juvenile can brutally attack another child & continue representing club or county with no consequences for their violent actions & lack of remorse.

I am urging you to sign this petition to demand immediate action from our lawmakers. Together, we can advocate for a system that holds juvenile offenders accountable while promoting rehabilitation & a safer society for all.