Ireland enters Europe-wide deal to share facial data of suspected criminals

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said there are occasions when the only lead captured in respect of a crime is an image of a suspect from a nearby security camera.  Picture: Toby Melville/PA

Ireland has agreed to share facial imagery of suspects and convicted criminals with other European countries as part of an expanded crime-fighting data-sharing system.

The Oireachtas passed an update to the existing EU Prum system which will also enable Ireland to share police records with other EU law enforcement agencies.