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An electronic tag used in the UK. Toby Melville/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Sex Offenders

Shatter outlines FG plan to tag sex offenders

Party intends to introduce tagging within a year of taking office, if it is elected into government.

FINE GAEL’S SPOKESPERSON FOR Justice Alan Shatter says his party plans to introduce electronic tagging for sex offenders within a year of taking office.

Shatter claimed that despite almost 2,400 sexual offences being recorded last year, sex offenders are being released without undergoing rehabilitation and without adequate supervision when released.

He said tagging could not be retrospective, and Fine Gael in government would “address the issue as a matter of urgency”:

Fine Gael has long held the view that the tagging of sex offenders is the only foolproof way of monitoring the movements of convicted sex offenders on their release from prison and is the best means of protecting people in our communities.

Shatter also said he believed Ireland should adopt provisions similar to Sarah’s Law in the UK which allows parents, guardians and carers access to know if a child sex offender lives in their area.

Poll: Should sex offenders be electronically tagged? >