This article is from page 20 of the 2012-11-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
GARDAÍ in Ennis have admitted they were “extremely concerned” when a convicted sex offender who failed to inform them of a change in his address fell of their “radar” last month.
The 40-year-old man pleaded guilty at Ennis District Court on Wednesday to a charge of failing to inform gardaí of a change in his address.
It was alleged that the man, on dates unknown between September 29 (2012) and October 10 (2012), within the jurisdiction of the State being a person to whom part two of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 applied, did fail to notify the gardaí of his home address on the relevant date as required by the provisions of the Sex Offenders Act 2001.
Detective Garda John Casey told the court that as a result of the man’s previous conviction he was required to inform gardaí of any change in his address.
Det. Casey said he learned the man had moved from his previous address in Clarecastle but had failed to inform gardaí of his new place of residence.
Defence solicitor John Casey told the court that his client had lived rough in the Mill Road area of Ennis after his previous accommodation no longer became available to him in Clrecastle.
He said the man did not have the necessary money to get new accommodation but has since secured a new address.
Mr Casey said his client is in very poor health and had no family or friends to turn to.
He added, “This was a breach of very serious and onerous condition.”
Det. Casey said it came as a “great surprise” to him that the man had been living in the Park on the Mill Road.
He said, “When he went of my radar, I was extremely concerned.”
“It goes without saying that people subject to the register are closely monitored,” he added.
Det. Casey told the court that he is now satisfied that the man has a new address
Judge Patrick Durcan said, “This is a very serious case and people are obliged to comply with the directions of a garda.”
Judge Durcan imposed a twomonth prison sentence, suspending it for two years.
He said he was imposing such a sentence “because of the seriousness of the matter.”