Sex offenders allowed to ‘roam our streets’ due to lack of ‘protective measures’ says Wexford councillor
Wexford PeopleA justice system which doesn’t protect the most vulnerable members of society and allows criminals to “roam our streets” is tearing communities apart. That’s according to Sinn Féin councillor for the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD), Aoife Rose O’Brien, who said the recent relevation that eight convicted sex offenders are currently employed as paramedics in this country underlines the inefficacy or our justice system.
“The reality in Ireland today is quite frightening; the public don’t feel protected by our government or our justice system,” she said. “Over and over again we see suspended sentences handed out for incredibly serious offences right on our doorsteps. We see criminals roam our streets, while our protective measures are being torn from communities across the country.
"We need more gardaí, we need robust penalties and we absolutely need a trusted garda vetting system implemented in every sector. It is crucial that our frontline staff have no previous convictions - we have to ensure these workers pose absolutely no threat to the vulnerable members of the public they are required to care for.”
Cllr O’Brien was speaking after it was revealed that the eight sex offenders had been allowed to work as paramedics because there is “no mechanism” in place to inform the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) of any past crimes before they take on staff. Furthermore, the PHECC is powerless to act, or even suspend, known criminals including sex offenders, from employment if their criminal history comes to light.
Compounding the issue, Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill did not immediately respond when informed of the issue and a second letter, marked urgent, was required to move her to act.
“I am horrified to learn that Minister Carroll MacNeill did not act immediately when this information was brought to her attention,” said Cllr O’Brien. “Her actions - or lack thereof – are absolutely unacceptable and the public deserve answers. Why would the Health Minister tolerate such a failure within the system? And how was that allowed to happen in the first place?”
Confirming she had written to both Minister Carroll MacNeill and Jusice Minister Jim O’Callaghan to request that this oversight be “immediately addressed”, Cllr O’Brien questioned how such a situation had been allowed to develop in the first place.
"Why has legislation not yet been introduced to give PHECC the authority to suspend or remove paramedics with serious criminal convictions?” she asked. “The public must have faith that Irish legislation is strong, thorough and fully protective.”