100% rise in sex offender notice breaches

THE number of registered sex offenders breaching their notification requirements to gardaí doubled last year, official figures show.

That rate has been maintained this year, prompting calls from Fine Gael’s Denis Naughten for the introduction of tougher legislation.

Rape crisis support groups said that any breach was a matter for concern. However, they are satisfied that gardaí are monitoring sex offenders.

Under Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001, convicted registered sex offenders — both Irish and foreign nationals residing here — are obliged to inform gardaí of their name, date of birth and home address, and any changes to their address.

According to provisional figures provided to Mr Naughten by the CSO, there were:

*16 recorded breaches of notification requirements in 2008, rising to 24 in 2009 and jumping to 50 in 2010, with 25 in the first six months of 2011.

*10 prosecutions for breaches in 2008, increasing to 15 in 2009, with 21 in the first half of 2010.

*Three convictions in 2008, nine in 2009 and 15 in the first six months of 2010.

Garda figures show there were a little more than 1,100 registered sex offenders for each of the years 2008 to 2011, indicating that about 5% of offenders breached their conditions in 2010.

“The fact that this amount breached the legislation is significant, and this is based on what gardaí recorded,” said Mr Naughten.

“Are gardaí identifying all of them? Are people slipping through the net?”

Mr Naughten said that it was more worrying that the number was rising.

“There’s a 100% increase,” he said.

“That clearly makes the argument we need to introduce legislation that will give parents and community organisations information re: individuals in certain circumstances.

“It’s clear the registration process in itself is not working.”

He said the forthcoming Sexual Offences Bill would give gardaí the legal power to inform people where a sex offender posed a risk.

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said: “While the number is small, any breach is of concern. But we are happy that the gardaí are monitoring them.”

However, she said more needed to be done to manage sex offenders and urged the Government not to cut garda resources.

Cliona Saidlear of the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland said resources must be targeted at those sex offenders who are assessed as posing an ongoing risk.

*For more information contact the National Rape Crisis helpline on 1800 778888.