Courts / Dublin / Report

Judge says Court of Appeal might consider absence of guidance on sex offender's register

Date
2024-04-19

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Judge Sarah Berkeley, while sentencing a 28‑year‑old Dublin man who sexually assaulted his younger cousin over four years, expressed concern that recent legislation offers no guidance for sentencing judges on how long a convicted person should remain on the sex offenders' register. The defendant, convicted of ten counts of sexual assault committed between 2008 and 2011 when he was 13‑17 and the victim was 6‑10, was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment, back‑dated to his entry into custody. Judge Berkeley directed that he be placed on the register for two and a half years, noting his lack of prior convictions and that he had not attracted recent Garda attention. She suggested the Court of Appeal might consider this absence of guidance for sentencing judges. The judge also granted an application to extend legal aid for an appeal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge says Court of Appeal might consider absence of guidance on sex offender's register. Charges or matters: ten counts of sexual assault following a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in March. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When: