Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I cannot talk about an individual case but from what I understand, the position in this particular case is that the person in question sought international protection in Ireland and inquiries identified he had previously been an applicant in the United Kingdom. Under the arrangement in place since 2020 the United Kingdom agreed to accept his return and also advised that he had been convicted of sexual assault in the United Kingdom and was subject to sex offender reporting requirements there.

Ireland initiated the inadmissibility provisions under the International Protection Act and this resulted in his being made the subject of a return order. At that point his lawyer challenged the determination in his case and this is what the High Court recently ruled on. It is now subject to appeal. As Deputy McNamara knows, the Government has published proposals to amend the underpinning legislation to address the issues identified by the court. These issues related to the underlying legislation and not the particulars of any individual's personal circumstances. Under Irish law a person convicted of certain offences in another jurisdiction is required to comply with Ireland's sex offender reporting requirements and the Garda has enforcement powers where they are breached. The case is being reviewed.

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