New law will allow gardaí to reveal details of sex offenders

Some opposition TDs believe powers of disclosure should be stronger, as is the case in Britain following the murder of Sarah Payne in 2000

Denis Naughten, the independent Galway-Roscommon TD, is proposing a more restrictive version of the so-called Sarah’s Law. Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Senior gardaí will be given the power to reveal the names, addresses and photos of sex offenders living in the community if they believe they pose a risk to the public.

Under the current legislation, gardaí do not have the power to inform a person with children that their new partner or neighbour is a sex offender.

The new sex offenders bill will allow those at inspector rank and higher to inform people privately about ...