Probation Service can offer hands-on help

Community organisations in Westmeath have been invited to apply to the Probation Service for hands-on help to kick-start or enhance projects. Martin Houlihan, Community Service supervisor, issued the invite at a plenary meeting of the Public Participation Network in Mullingar recently.

Mr Houlihan said he wanted to find meaningful work for those who have been given community service by the courts, to integrate them back into the community. “These are not hardened criminals; they are likely to be before the courts for not paying a fine or driving without insurance, and they are assessed before they are considered for probation,” he remarked.

Mr Houlihan explained that a lot of the work they do is outdoors and when the weather is unsuitable they are sent home. “When lads turn up, we want to have work for them, and if we have more voluntary groups involved we could have more indoor work, community centre repairs, rather than sending them home,” he said.

Litter picking, weeding and scuffing can be demoralising if there is nothing else for them to do and the Probation Service would like to have them painting, pouring floors or paths, concreting, he said.

“If you haven’t the tools needed, we will do our best to provide them and get the job done. I hope some of you will give us a call,” he concluded.