Man returned for trial accused of breaches of Sex Offenders Act
A 52-year-old man has been sent forward for trial to the circuit court accused of alleged breaches of the Sex Offenders Act.
A book of evidence was served on the defendant, who cannot be identified as reporting restrictions have been imposed, when he appeared before Dundalk District Court.
He is charged with, on a date unknown between July 25, 2025 and October 27, 2025, both dates inclusive, within the jurisdiction of the State, being a person to whom Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 applied, failed to notify, and failed to continue to notify on every third day thereafter, An Garda Síochána of the specific location of the place in the State where he intended to reside or stay at on the night of that notification pursuant to a requirement under Section 10(2) and (6) of the Sex Offenders Act 2001.
A second charge is that on a date unknown between July 15, 2025 and July 17, 2025, both dates inclusive, he did contravene the provisions of a sex offender order made in respect of him on December 14, 2022, at a named Circuit Criminal Court in that he did change address without notifying a member of An Garda Síochána, in person, at a Garda Station 24 hours prior to this change of address, with the new address which he intended to reside either permanently or on a temporary basis by travelling on the Stena Line Ferry from Belfast Port to Cairnryan in Scotland on July 17, 2025.
He is further accused that on a date unknown between July 25, 2025 and October 27, 2025, both dates inclusive, he did contravene the provisions of a sex offender order made in respect of him on December 14, 2022, at a named Circuit Criminal Court in that he did change address without notifying a member of An Garda Siochana, in person, at a Garda Station 24 hours prior to this change of address, with the new address which he intended to reside either permanently or on a temporary basis by travelling to Ayrshire in Scotland on an unknown date between the July 25, 2025 and October 27, 2025.
Court presenter Sgt Richie Browne said that the DPP directed the defendant be returned for trial to the present sittings of Dundalk Circuit Court.
Judge Nicola Andrews sent him forward in custody, and granted legal aid.
The court heard that he intends to bring a High Court bail application.
Separately, it is alleged that the man breached a supervision order under the Sex Offenders Act, a case which can be dealt with summarily in the district court.
He was remanded in custody to Drogheda Distict Court on April 28.