Data-sharing key to catching sex offenders on both sides of border: Ahern

New data-sharing measures should stop sex offenders exploiting the border to flee the authorities, the justice minister said today.

Dermot Ahern was speaking after police launched an all-island manhunt for a dangerous sex offender who is on the run from police.

Mr Ahern met the North's security minister Paul Goggins at Hillsborough, Co Down, today.

“We are determined that sex offenders cannot use the border to flee justice and we have been looking at how we can change our systems and legislation to ensure that the border isn’t used,” he said.

“We have moved on this issue and the north has moved as well. We want to harmonise the notification procedures north and south so that there’s no difficulties at our end.

“We have given the go-ahead to align the IT systems and databases so that we are absolutely up to speed.”

Police on both sides of the border are searching for Ernest George Finlay, 53, considered by officers to pose a risk of causing serious harm.

The convicted sex offender, who is in the highest category three risk bracket, went missing after failing to comply with his post-custody release conditions.

Members of the public have been urged not to approach him but instead to contact the police immediately.

Mr Ahern said both jurisdictions were considering exchanging staff so common knowledge can be built.

“We are both agreed that the whole issue of sex offenders on the island would be a top priority.”

The pair focused on a deal – signed last month by An Garda Síochána and the PSNI – to pass knowledge between jurisdictions in relation to the investigation of sexual offences and the monitoring of convicted offenders.

“They want to ensure there is harmonisation between both jurisdictions with relation to sex offenders signing onto both PSNI and garda stations.

Other issues on the agenda included co-operation on victim support, forensic science and youth justice.

Mr Finlay is described as being around 5ft 8“, of medium build, with blue eyes and brown hair.

The offender also has a small gap between his upper two front teeth and has several tattoos, three of which are on his arms, among them a picture of a horse’s head.

Police have also appealed to Mr Finlay to hand himself in at the nearest police station.