THERE ARE CURRENTLY 94 sex offenders across the country who are being monitored under the conditions of a supervision order after being released from prison.

Judges in Ireland have the power to sentence sex offenders to a period of supervision following their release if they believe the person could pose a continuing threat to the community. It is usually in excess of a year.

Around 1,000 sex offenders are obliged to notify local gardaí of their address when they move into the area and to tell them at any stage if they are leaving. However post supervision orders go a step further.

Terms of post-release supervision may include that an offender attend specified psychological counselling or other treatment. Gardaí can also apply to a judge to stop an offender from attending certain places such as schools, play-grounds or even nightclubs.

Numbers in your region

In response to a recent parliamentary question from TD Denis Naughten, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald revealed the numbers of sex offenders currently being monitored across the country.

• In the Dublin North, Meath and Louth region there are 24;
• In the Dublin South and Wicklow region there are 22;
• In the Midlands and South East region there are 15;
• In the South West region there are 12;
• In the West and North West (including Westmeath) there are 21.

Unlike in some other countries, members of the public in Ireland are not entitled under the law to view the sex offenders register or to find out where in their area offenders are living,

No repeat offending

These offenders are monitored by the probation service which says the work of the probation officer “focuses on the offence committed and its implications for public safety, helping the offender to see the past offending behaviour as a problem, and developing strategies and supports to ensure there is no repeat offending”.

If a sex offender fails or refuses to comply they are liable to a class fine or to imprisonment for a maximum of 12 months, or both. Though Naughten also requested figures for non compliance with these supervision orders, the minister said these were not “readily available.

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