CHILDREN would be better protected from paedophiles if the referendum on bail was passed, the Minister for Health said yesterday. Mr Noonan said a Yes vote would mean a judge could refuse bail on the grounds that a defendant might reoffend.
There was "ample and authoritative research" to show that, of all serious criminals, child molesters were most likely to reoffend. "At the moment, there is no way that a judge can refuse bail to a paedophile who comes before the court unless it is felt that the accused will flee trial or interfere with a witness in that trial."