Plan to allow ex-prisoners conceal convictions from employers

THE governor of Mountjoy Prison has endorsed a proposal to allow former prisoners the right not to disclose convictions when applying for jobs or insurance.

John Lonergan yesterday launched a report by the Law Society of Ireland which calls for the introduction of a Spent Convictions Scheme.

Such a scheme would ensure that, after certain safeguards have been met, offenders would not have to disclose their criminal conviction when applying for certain jobs or insurance.