Concern over sex offence data issue

A CONSTITUTIONAL amendment allowing state agencies to share “soft” information on those accused but never convicted of a sexual offence needs to be seriously considered by government, said a legal expert yesterday.

However, opposition parties have raised concerns about those who were victims of false accusations and whose reputation could be jeopardised because of the passing of information between the gardaí, the HSE and school boards. Expert on child law Dr Geoffrey Shannon, who was appointed by the Government to audit legal developments for the protection of children, told an Oireachtas committee yesterday safeguards should be put in place recognising the “competing rights” of children and those who had an allegation made against them.

He said those accused of an offence have a right to know if “soft” information is available to state agencies, to lodge an appeal if the information is inaccurate and to have the information restricted to the Garda vetting unit. Unauthorised access would be punishable by law.