Sex offenders: 1,110 on register

FIVE sex offenders are signing on to the offenders’ register each week, according to figures obtained by Fine Gael.

At the start of March there were 1,110 offenders, an increase of 168 since the start of July.

It has also emerged that sex offenders qualify for reductions in their prison sentences even if they refuse to engage in counselling or rehabilitation while behind bars.

Prisoners have a statutory entitlement to remission, and forfeiture of this remission can be imposed only for a breach of prison discipline. Failure or refusal to undergo rehabilitative treatment does not qualify as a breach.

Independent TD Catherine Murphy said several of her constituents had voiced concerns that sex offenders could qualify for remission without undergoing rehabilitation.

This followed the early release of paedophile Derry O’Rourke last week, amid reports that he had failed to undergo rehabilitation while in prison.

Mr McDowell said the parameters for remission were laid out in the Rules for the Government of Prisons.