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Most people reading about the register are looking somebody up. This page is for the other reader: somebody who is on it or expects to be.
Notification obligations. Providing a name and address to the Gardaí and notifying changes within set periods, including travel abroad. The obligations are strict and the timeframes are short. If a person who has notification obligations resides at another address for a period in excess of 3 days, they must notify Gardai of this change of address.
A failure to notify is a separate criminal offence, not an administrative slip. People are prosecuted for it, including people who simply moved house and did not realise the clock had started.
The period depends on the sentence imposed. If the Court imposes a Sentence (either custodial or suspended) which is in excess of 2 years, the offender is placed on the Register for an indefinite period. If the Court imposes a Sentence (either custodial or suspended) which is less than 2 years, the Court has a discretion to place the offender on the Register for a fixed period of time up to 10 years.
In limited circumstances a person can apply to the court to have the requirement discharged, after a qualifying period has passed. An application can be made once 10 years has passed since a suspended sentence has been imposed or since an offender left custody. Effectively, the test the Court imposes in assessing whether a person should be removed from the register is whether they still continue to pose a threat to the community. It is not automatic and it is not quick. It is an application that has to be argued, ordinarily it requires positive and constructive engagement with the Probation Services to assist in a successful application.
Do not explain it over the phone. A breach allegation is a criminal allegation and the same rules apply: say nothing until you have taken advice.
086 076 2191.
