Michael McNamara: How did sex offender seeking asylum fly under the radar?

The latest calamity to arrive at the door of the Department of Justice is of its own making and it’s serious for us all

Helen McEntee faces trouble on multiple fronts at her department. Photo: Colin Keegan

Michael McNamara

The High Court judgment last March striking down the State’s ability to return ­asylum-seekers to the UK sent shockwaves through the political system and was extensively reported. A second shocking aspect of the case was overlooked until last week.

In October 2021, the UK authorities advised their Irish counterparts that the applicant in the case had been convicted of an offence in the UK and was in consequence registered as a sex offender.