IRELAND
The Irish Times

CAROL COULTER

WITHHOLDING INFORMATION: Legislation requiring the passing on of information concerning offences against children and vulnerable adults has been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. It is part of the Government’s response to mandatory reporting of serious instances of child abuse.

The Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012 makes it an offence to withhold information on serious offences, carrying a jail sentence of five or more years. Such offences include most sexual offences and assault causing harm, abduction, manslaughter or murder.