A CONVICTED sex offender living in an Enniskillen housing estate, in close proximity to young children, has been swiftly removed by police following community concerns.
It is understood that it first came to light that the man was living in the Cavanaleck area last week and the 50-year-old man was moved to another unknown location on Friday afternoon. Police have refused to reveal exactly where the offender has been relocated to.
The sex offender was convicted last week at Omagh Crown Court for sexually touching a schoolgirl aged between 13 and 15 on an unknown date between January 1, 2012 and October 15, 2013.
He was placed on the Sex Offenders’ register for an indefinite period and made subject to a five year Sex Offenders Prevention Order (SOPO). He was further disqualified from working with children and prohibited from having any contact or communication with any female child under the age of 16 years, unless with the prior approval of his designated risk manager and social services in writing.
Local councillor Debbie Coyle expressed her thanks to the local PSNI for responding swiftly to the concerns raised after the sex offender was rehoused close to young children.
“This is an area where there are many children of all ages, playing outside the house this man was staying in.
“The community raised concerns with me, fearful for their children and said they felt like prisoners in their own homes.
“I am pleased to say the PSNI acted swiftly to have this person removed from the area.”
She continued: “However, it raises serious questions about the suitability of certain areas for the rehousing of convicted sex offenders.
“I want to know what measures are taken to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults when rehousing these people.
“This caused much distress and anguish to local families and I will be speaking to the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of our children.”
A resident in Sycamore Drive area said it was great to see the sex offender out of the area.
“I have to thank Debbie Coyle of the residents association for her work along with Roy Robinson from the PSNI. Now they have moved him to a more suitable area.”
A PSNI spokesman explained that arrangements for registered sex offenders living in the community fall under the control of PPANI (Public Protection Arrangements Northern Ireland).
“Public protection arrangements are understood as co-operation between police, probation and social services focused almost exclusively on the assessment and management of risk posed by offenders in the community. Risk management is both complex and dynamic. For each offender it involves the preparation of a plan to address the specific risks identified in relation to the individual whilst they are in the community. Risk management plans will include actions to monitor the behaviour and attitudes of the offender and, when necessary, intervene in the individual’s life in order to minimise the risk of serious harm to others. These arrangements apply to convicted offenders.
“Police would encourage any member of the public with concerns regarding any aspect of public safety to contact them directly.”
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