Surge in the number of younger sex offenders in Irish prisons

Only a quarter of those jailed for sex offences are receiving treatment amid a 150% increase in their number in the last 15 years

Many younger people going into custody for sexual violence charges 'have a history of non-sexual violent offending,' the Irish Prison Service stated. 'This is a change from previous cohorts of people convicted of sexual violence.' Stock picture

Prison bosses have identified a shift in the profile of sex offenders being jailed, with increasing numbers of young men being convicted in the courts.

There has been a 150% increase in the number of sex offenders in custody over the last 15 years, but just a quarter of those with convictions for sexual violence are receiving treatment.