Violent offenders’ register more useful
We regularly hear horrific stories about sex offenders and are then told it is necessary to have a register for such offenders, who need to be carefully assessed, in case they re-offend.
But why is this focus on sex offenders only? There are criminals that assault and viciously beat elderly people in their own homes while robbing them. Elderly people in rural areas are particularly vulnerable, and live in fear. There are muggers who use blood-filled syringes as weapons. There are men who repeatedly beat their partners. According to Women’s Aid, at least 106 women have been killed by violence in Ireland since 1966, 69 of them in their own homes. A few thousand children are badly beaten every year, some dying from their injuries, yet we do not hear calls for registration and monitoring of such offenders.
A violent offenders’ register would be useful for monitoring such perpetrators. Since rape is a violent crime, rapists would fall under such a register, which would also give added protection towards vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women and children.
Justice Minister Michael McDowell recently proposed a drug offenders’ register. This is most welcome, since heroin abuse causes so much death, misery and spin-off crime.
Joseph Barry
123 Morehampton Road
Donnybrook
Dublin 4
