Noone calls for ban on sex offenders using dating apps

Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone has called for a ban on convicted sex offenders using dating apps.

Senator Noone has called on the Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan, to consider including a provision for judges to order all sex offenders not to use the apps in the new Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill.

Senator Noone said: “In cases involving sex offenders, and in particular where there is evidence that the offender had linked up with a victim through a dating app, it should be included in the new law that judges can, as a condition of sentence, order the offender not to use any dating apps following their sentencing/release.

“Under the 2001 Act, a judge has the power to prohibit a person who is subject to a sex offender order from doing ‘any thing’ in order to protect the public from serious harm.

“I am proposing that we explicitly add something in the new legislation that bans offenders from using these apps. This  would make it far more likely that judges would apply such a condition.

“Earlier this month, my Fine Gael colleague Minister Flanagan announced the publication of the General Scheme of the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill after Cabinet approved his legislative proposals.

“Now that the Bill is being drafted, I am calling for this provision to be included. I will raise this in due course when the Bill gets to the Seanad.”

Senator Noone added: “I am also calling on all dating app platforms to have clear and regularly communicated personal safety guidelines on their products.”

ENDS