Sex offender in court after failing to inform Donegal gardai of address change

A convicted sex offender has been brought before a Donegal court after failing to notify gardai of a change of her home address.

The woman appeared at Letterkenny District Court this week.

The woman, who is in her 50s and cannot be named at this juncture, was arrested on Monday. 

Detective Garda Donna Ferguson gave evidence of arresting the woman at 6.49pm on May 5, 2025. The woman was conveyed to Letterkenny Garda Station, where she was later charged. 

She was charged that on dates in September 2024 within the jurisdiction of the State did, being a person to which part 2 of the Sexual Offenders Act 2001 applied, fail to notify An Garda Siochana of a change in her home address within three days. The charge is contrary to section 2 (1), (a) and (3) of the Sexual Offenders Act, 2001 as amended by section 13 of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 and amended by section 10 of the Sexual Offenders Act 2023.

The accused woman, whose address is listed as being outside the jurisdiction, made no reply after caution.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that bail conditions have been agreed. The woman is to provide gardai with a phone number and be contactable 24-7. She must also notify the authorities of any change of address. 

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham made an order to reflect the conditions. 

The woman was represented by solicitor Mr Frank Murphy. Legal aid was granted in the matter.

Mr Murphy sought a reporting restriction in the case. Judge Cunningham said a temporary reporting restriction would be imposed at this point.

The case was adjourned to a later date.