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Teenage inmates show boating skills

Wednesday, 16 April 2008

FOUR teenage inmates of the Finglas Child and Adolescent Centre had something to celebrate last week when the boat they lovingly restored was officially launched to sea.
Over six months of hard work paid off when the Mermaid sailing boat - christened ‘Charge Sheet’ by the teens - took to the waters at Malahide marina.
The young men undertook the project as part of their rehabilitation, according to Eddie Byran, director of the detention centre.
“The boys’ outlook is completely different since they started this programme,” he told Northside People.
“They have learned a lot about discipline, dedication and team work.
“Some of them have even given up cigarettes since they started the project. In general they now seem more inclined to supplement their bad habits with more rewarding and positive habits. The best thing for them was that they had a purpose.”
According to Mr Byran, the four teenagers were chosen to restore the boat, which is over 50 years old, as a reward for their good behaviour.
“They had to earn their right to be included in the project,” he explained. “These boys, two of whom are Dubliners, one is from Cork and another from Limerick, were sentenced to be detained here as they committed minor crimes and were generally a nuisance around their districts.
“As part of the programme, they learned how to swim, life-save, sail and navigate.”
The Dublin Mermaid regatta will be the next challenge for the young men. First, they will put their vessel to the test in Carlingford Loch before they participate in the Dublin Mermaid Regatta in June.
Now that the wooden sailing boat has been restored to its former glory, it will be used to train other youth offenders who come through Finglas Detention Centre.
The centre currently holds 18 young offenders.

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