Parents to be warned of sex offenders in area

GARDAÍ are expected to be given powers to identify convicted sex offenders where there is a danger to the public, Justice Minister Alan Shatter has confirmed.

Legislation planned by the minister will allow gardaí to warn individuals of a particular danger or to respond to specific requests.

Mr Shatter, who expects to publish the general scheme of a Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill in the autumn, said parents would be warned about sex offenders living in their neighbourhood. However, he ruled out allowing local authorities to publish the names and addresses of convicted sex offenders in their areas.

It was one of the issues raised in a discussion document on the management of sex offenders published in 2009. The Department of Justice said there were concerns that publishing the addresses would be counter-productive, might drive sex offenders underground and make them more likely to re-offend.

The department said there was support for the view that those with a legitimate interest should receive appropriate information and, if there was a danger to the public, the gardaí should be able identify the sex offender.

Information was already provided to the public in exceptional circumstances, including the provision of information to parents, on an “administrative basis” and, subject to Government approval, the minister intended to put such disclosure on a statutory footing.

Fiona Neary, the director of Rape Crisis Network Ireland, said communities could be watching one or two convicted offenders when the real danger was closer to home. She said parents needed to be aware that people who could be abusing their children were more likely to be someone they knew or were related to, and were unlikely to be a stranger who has moved into their neighbourhood.

Ms Neary urged parents and teachers to ensure children were equipped with the life skills to protect themselves.