Councillor Patricia McCarthy has welcomed the Government’s announcement that the electronic monitoring of high-risk sex offenders was currently under examination.
The Independent Member of Clare County Council noted that any measures taken to monitor identified high-risk sex offenders after their release from imprisonment would be welcomed by society at large. The proposal is one of a number of measures being looked at by the Government to deal with the management of convicted sex offenders.
Councillor McCarthy added that the scheduled introduction of new laws on the period for registration by convicted sex offenders represented another significant step forward. “I welcome the announcement by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern that convicted sex offenders will be allowed only three days instead of seven before they must register with Gardaí upon release from prison or arrival in the country. While I do believe that this period should be shortened even further, it does signify a significant step forward in tightening legislation in this area,” she stated.
Commenting on the range of other measures being proposed, Councillor McCarthy said, “Many people are unaware that practically all sex offenders are released at some point. Therefore, I am delighted to learn that standardised, evidence-based risk assessments specifically designed for sex offenders will be introduced with the aim of assessing the risk level of all convicted sex offenders. It is reassuring to see that the results of assessments will be shared as appropriate between the Gardaí, the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service.”
The measures are outlined in a discussion document, entitled ‘The Management of Sex Offenders’. The document reviews the existing situation regarding the management of sex offenders, puts forward proposals for future developments, and invites contributions and observations. Among the other measures being proposed is the risk assessment of all sex offenders in prison for the purpose of determining the appropriate interventions in prison so as to inform plans for their release back into the community following completion of their sentence. Furthermore, all sex offenders registered with the Gardaí will also be assessed. The purpose of risk assessment is to identify the higher risk sex offenders, determine the appropriate interventions and the level of monitoring that may be required. In the case of every person convicted of a sexual offence, the sentencing court will be offered a risk assessment for the offender. The aim is to ensure courts have better information when deciding on sentences and any post release supervision.
”I am sure communities across the country will welcome these proposals. For many years, community and public representatives have sought legislation that provides the Gardaí and the Probation Service with sufficient powers and resources to monitor convicted sex offenders in the community,” concluded Councillor McCarthy.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy has welcomed the Government’s announcement that the electronic monitoring of high-risk sex offenders was currently under examination.
The Independent Member of Clare County Council noted that any measures taken to monitor identified high-risk sex offenders after their release from imprisonment would be welcomed by society at large. The proposal is one of a number of measures being looked at by the Government to deal with the management of convicted sex offenders.
Councillor McCarthy added that the scheduled introduction of new laws on the period for registration by convicted sex offenders represented another significant step forward. “I welcome the announcement by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern that convicted sex offenders will be allowed only three days instead of seven before they must register with Gardaí upon release from prison or arrival in the country. While I do believe that this period should be shortened even further, it does signify a significant step forward in tightening legislation in this area,” she stated.
Commenting on the range of other measures being proposed, Councillor McCarthy said, “Many people are unaware that practically all sex offenders are released at some point. Therefore, I am delighted to learn that standardised, evidence-based risk assessments specifically designed for sex offenders will be introduced with the aim of assessing the risk level of all convicted sex offenders. It is reassuring to see that the results of assessments will be shared as appropriate between the Gardaí, the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service.”
The measures are outlined in a discussion document, entitled ‘The Management of Sex Offenders’. The document reviews the existing situation regarding the management of sex offenders, puts forward proposals for future developments, and invites contributions and observations. Among the other measures being proposed is the risk assessment of all sex offenders in prison for the purpose of determining the appropriate interventions in prison so as to inform plans for their release back into the community following completion of their sentence. Furthermore, all sex offenders registered with the Gardaí will also be assessed. The purpose of risk assessment is to identify the higher risk sex offenders, determine the appropriate interventions and the level of monitoring that may be required. In the case of every person convicted of a sexual offence, the sentencing court will be offered a risk assessment for the offender. The aim is to ensure courts have better information when deciding on sentences and any post release supervision.
”I am sure communities across the country will welcome these proposals. For many years, community and public representatives have sought legislation that provides the Gardaí and the Probation Service with sufficient powers and resources to monitor convicted sex offenders in the community,” concluded Councillor McCarthy.
The new proposal to do away with any carryover of yellow-card offences has come too late for Clare’s Tony Griffin, who will miss next Sunday’s National Hurling League match against Kilkenny – to add to an already critical situation for Clare manager Mike McNamara, the Irish Times newspaper reports today.
The Ballyea hurler was yellow-carded early in the second half of Sunday’s defeat to Cork, and having being called up for a similar second black-book offence in the previous game against Tipperary, at a similar stage, thus receives the automatic two-week ban. “That’s the penalty as it currently stands,” said GAA Head of Games Pat Daly. “A player receiving two yellow cards in the same competition receivers a fortnight ban. It doesn’t matter if he misses one game or two games or no games.
It was announced yesterday that congress, when voting on the motions covering the experimental yellow cards, will have the option of doing away with any carryover of offences, in that the issuing of the cards will cease with the game. In the meantime, unless Griffin is successful with any appeal, he will miss the Kilkenny game, which will see Clare still seeking the first league points of their campaign. Among the many talking points from Sunday’s defeat was the omission, just prior to throw-in, of centre back Gerry Quinn.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy has welcomed the Government’s announcement that the electronic monitoring of high-risk sex offenders was currently under examination.
