Paralysed sex offender to be monitored by private guards

A sex offender serving his five-year sentence under “detention” in his home because he is paralysed will be monitored by private security guards rather than prison officers in the first case of its kind.

He will also likely be the first sex offender to be electronically tagged under new laws.

The Rape Crisis Centre in Galway said it was outraged the offender had been granted temporary release despite having spent no time in jail.

Martin Davoren pleaded guilty before Galway Circuit Criminal Court in March to 12 sample charges of assaulting a girl at various locations between dates in 1986 and 1988.

The 61-year-old, from Galway was jailed for five years in July.

He became unwell as he was being assessed on arrival at Castlerea Prison and spent a period in hospital.

Temporary release

When he was discharged, the prison service granted him temporary release rather than committing him to prison.

It felt Davoren’s needs were more complex and would be best met in his adapted home.

A condition of his temporary release was that he would not be permitted to leave his home, with prison officers assigned to him.

However, to reduce costs the prison officer detail in place since the summer is set to be replaced with a private security guard.

The Irish Prison Service said it could not comment on individual cases. However, well-placed sources added that when the new Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act became operational, Davoren would likely become the first offender to be tagged .