Finger print system to detect sex offenders

TÁNAISTE Michael McDowell yesterday claimed a €18 million electronic finger printing system will help prevent sex offenders slipping into the country.

The initiative will also form the backbone of a crackdown on identity fraud by illegal immigrants, the Justice Minister said.

The hi-tech system will eventually replace the existing finger printing methods of the Garda Technical Bureau and the Tánaiste said it would make international cross-referencing of criminals easier.