Back in 2021, Notorious Enniskillen rapist Rory O’Connor attended Fermanagh Court on Monday, when the PSNI sought a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) to “safeguard the public from significant harm” posed by him.
The 45-year-old violent offender, Rory O’Connor, had been residing clandestinely at a location in Enniskillen.
The police application indicated that following his conviction for rape on October 11, 2002,
Rory O’Connor has behaved in a manner that provides reasonable grounds to conclude that a Sexual Offender Prevention Order (SOPO) is essential to “safeguard the public from significant harm” posed by him.
A defence counsel stated that Rory O’Connor consented to a Notification Order under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, necessitating his registration on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
The barrister presented District Judge Liam McNally with a letter and requested an order prohibiting the press from reporting on the court case, therefore shielding the public from information regarding the legal procedures.
He asserted that the third paragraph provided the rationale for the ban.
Nevertheless, upon reviewing the letter, the District Judge stated that he found no justification for implementing a reporting restriction.
The Notification Order was issued for an unlimited duration following Rory O’Connor’s conviction on October 11, 2002.
The provisions in Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 are intended to facilitate the police in overseeing and regulating sex offenders residing in the community.
Specific sex offenders must inform the police of personal information, including their name, address, and, from August 13, 2012, bank and credit card details, and must update the police anytime this information changes.
The official documentation of this information is typically known as the Sex Offenders’ Register.
Notification requirements are automatically applied to criminals convicted of specific offences in the United Kingdom, but may also be mandated through court order for offenders convicted in other jurisdictions.
The notice requirements are mandated for a specified or unlimited duration, contingent upon the penalty imposed.
Offenders with an indeterminate notification period may petition the police for a determination that they no longer present a risk and should be removed from the registry.
An application may be submitted no earlier than 15 years from the offender’s initial notice date.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the people highlighted on this website, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report to Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.