IRELAND TO GET VERSION OF MEGAN’S LAW

PARENTS and vulnerable women will finally be allowed to find out if a paedophile or sex offender is living near their home, under proposed new laws.

The name, address and threat posed by a convicted sex attacker can be revealed, after Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald unveiled her major plans to overhaul our outdated legislation in November.

The new laws are essentially a watered-down version of the US’s Megan’s Law, which allows authorities to publish the names and addresses of convicted sex attackers living in their area.

Under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, published by Ms Fitzgerald in November convicted sex attackers will have to register much sooner and give far more details about themselves.

New and strengthened offences to tackle child pornography, sexual harassment and the supervision of released convicts are all included.

Strict prohibitions intended to stop sex offenders working with children and vulnerable people are also included. And when convicted offenders are being sentenced, a judge can impose a lifetime ban on working with children.

New criminal offences to protect children against grooming will also come into effect, and offenders could face sentences ranging in most cases from to ten to 14 years.