13/05/2005

Police win legal move to monitor sex offender

Police in Londonderry have won a legal bid to require a man from the Republic of Ireland, who has a conviction for sexual offences and is residing in Northern Ireland, to go onto the sex offenders register here.

His inclusion on the register will allow police and partners in Social Services and Probation to monitor and manage the 27-year-old’s behaviour.

A notification order was granted at Londonderry Magistrates Court on Thursday under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The Act allows police to apply for an order which requires an individual who has been convicted of sexual offences in another jurisdiction to register as a sex offender in Northern Ireland.

Foyle DCU Inspector Barry Greene welcomed the development. He said: "Police and partners want to ensure that if individuals have convictions for sexual offences, inside or outside the jurisdiction, then there are systems in place to monitor and manage them for as long as they reside in Northern Ireland.

"Communities should feel reassured that police are using the law to protect them and their interests in the management of sex offenders."

This is the first time that a notification order has been granted under the legislation.

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