Inquiry by gardai finds no evidence of paedophile ring

Gardai in the west investigating recent reports of suspicious approaches to children have found nothing to link any of the incidents, and they have discounted suggestions of a paedophile network.

None of the incidents investigated so far in counties Galway, Mayo and Clare constitutes "attempted abductions," gardai have emphasised. However, they do believe the reports - including sightings of a red car or van with coloured wing or door - reflect the success of the Department of Education's Stay Safe programme.

Investigations are continuing into several of the reported incidents, including two in Co Mayo which are being handled by Westport gardai and two in Inverin and Claregalway in Co Galway.

Late last month there was another report of a suspicious approach by a man to an eight-year-old girl in Athlone, Co Westmeath, while there were also recent reports in Co Clare and in Cork city, where, it was alleged, a man tried to lure three children into his van with the promise of sweets.

GardaI state that every report is treated seriously. There is no evidence as yet that sex offenders in other jurisdictions are coming in large numbers to Ireland, but the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, does intend to introduce a register, based on existing systems in the UK and the US.

He says that this will enable gardai to keep track at all times of convicted offenders.

However, the proposed system falls short of one established in California, for instance, where the public is informed if a convicted sex offender moves into the area. Research has found that a significant proportion of convicted paedophiles learn how to evade registration.

If put into practice, the Minister's plan will not apply retrospectively - which means those who have served time for previous offences will not be covered.

The Garda Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit studied over 60 reports of suspicious approaches to minors late last year, as recorded over a three-month period in counties Dublin, Cork, Limerick and in the midlands. The unit found that most of the cases were either hoaxes, innocent approaches by motorists or misunderstandings.

The unit found only one confirmed case of an abduction, involving an assault on a schoolgirl in Dublin by a man who was subsequently imprisoned.

Following several of the recent reports, Garda sources noted that there appeared to be a link to Stay Safe instruction in primary school classes. It was suggested that some of the children might have "overreacted" to the instruction.

However, the issue has not been raised with the Department of Education. "If anything, we would regard it as a positive response in terms of awareness," one Garda source said.

The Stay Safe programme aroused considerable debate when introduced in primary schools in the Eastern Health Board area eight years ago, following a significant rise in official reports of child abuse. Jointly supported by the regional health boards and the Department of Education, the programme was extended to the rest of the State in 1992.

While most parents and schools welcomed it, the programme attracted some criticism, mainly for its instruction relating to sexuality and the perceived conflict with basic "family values".