<p>
	There are 120 sex offenders living in communities across the country and being monitored as part of their post-release supervision programming.</p>
<p>
	The 120 subject to post-supervision orders represent an increase of six on the total for this time last year.</p>
<p>
	In the US, under the so-called Megan&#39;s Law, state authorities disclose to the public the addresses of freed sex offenders and the crimes they have been convicted of.</p>
<p>
	In the UK, under &#39;Sarah&#39;s Law&#39;, parents are allowed to ask the police if someone who might have contact with their children has a criminal record for child sex offences.</p>
<p>
	However, a 2015 study showed that just one in six applications was successful, with police citing vigilantism fears as part of the reasons for withholding details.</p>
<p>
	No such provision exists in Irish law relating to garda&iacute; having to disclose the addresses of freed convicted sex offenders.</p>
<p>
	According to figures released by Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan, the largest concentration of any released sex offenders subject to post-release supervision is in the Dublin north and north east areas, where 32 are living.</p>
<p>
	In a written D&aacute;il reply to Fianna F&aacute;il&#39;s justice spokesman Jim O&#39;Callaghan, Mr Flanagan confirmed that a further 24 are living in the Dublin south and Wicklow area, while 23 have addresses in the west and north-west - excluding Westmeath.</p>
<p>
	In his reply, Mr Flanagan confirmed that a further 22 are living in the midlands and the south-east, with 19 living in the south-west.</p>
<p>
	Around 1,000 sex offenders are obliged to provide local garda&iacute; with their address and any change when moving - however, post-supervision orders go a step further, requiring offenders to undergo psychological counselling or other treatment.</p>
<p>
	Those sex offenders who breach post-release supervision conditions are liable to prison terms not exceeding 12 months.</p>
<p>
	Mr Flanagan said figures relating to non-compliance of supervision orders are not readily available.</p>
<p>
	In a separate D&aacute;il reply to Mr O&#39;Callaghan, Mr Flanagan confirmed there are currently three sex offenders and one killer currently on temporary release.</p>
<p>
	The latest figures from the Irish Prison Service show that there has been a steady increase in those jailed for sexual offences this year.</p>
<p>
	At the end of May, the figures show there were 394 sex offenders jailed, an increase of eight since March.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Published by the Irish Independent on the 17th July 2017</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/120-released-sex-offenders-living-among-communities-35936841.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/120-released-sex-offenders-living-among-communities-35936841.html</a></p>
