PLEA TO GARDAÍ ON DNA

A FIANNA Fáil senator has called for gardaí to immediately track down all sex offenders who have not yet provided a DNA sample. Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee was speaking in reaction to an Irish Daily Mail revelation yesterday.

The Mail reported that up to 700 sex offenders have not provided a DNA sample for the database – two and half years after tough new laws were enacted.

Of the 2,000 sex attackers in Ireland obliged to provide a DNA sample to be indefinitely stored on the database, just 1,292 have so far provided a swab, the Department of Justice told the Mail.

This means that up to 700 sex offenders have not. Retaining their DNA helps solve other crimes and helps apprehend suspects should they commit another offence.

In reaction to the article, Ms Clifford-Lee said it was ‘imperative’ that all those convicted of a sexual offence in Ireland and who have not yet provided their mandatory sample for the DNA database be tracked down by gardaí.

She said: ‘The importance of a sex offenders’ DNA database cannot be understated... It is very concerning that 35% of those convicted and listed on the Sex Offenders Register in Ireland continue to avoid registering their DNA... The State has an absolute responsibility to protect citizens from those found guilty of a sexual offence and to make sure they are adequately registered and monitored.’