FIGURES REVEALED BY the CSO show that around 10 per cent of released sex offenders have breached the requirement to notify gardai of their current address.

Independent TD Denis Naughten said that Ireland needs to put a sex offenders’ register on a statutory footing. While he doesn’t believe that the register should be fully open to public viewing, he said community and parent organisations should be able to request information on any convicted sex offenders living in their area.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter has indicated that such legislation may soon be passed. However, it is unlikely that it would go as far as the so-called ‘Megan’s Law’ in the US where any member of the public can access the sex offenders’ register.

How do you feel about making information on sex offenders public?

Poll Results:

Any member of the public should be able to view a sex offenders' register (1124)

The system we have right now - where gardai have discretion to warn an individual or group - is fine (340)

Only certain community groups should be able to view a sex offenders' register (338)

When someone has served their sentence, they should be free from scrutiny (108)

Any member of the public should be able to view a sex offenders' register
Only certain community groups should be able to view a sex offenders' register
The system we have right now - where gardai have discretion to warn an individual or group - is fine
When someone has served their sentence, they should be free from scrutiny

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Poll: Should a sex offenders register be made public?

Poll Results:

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.