Sex offender who failed to notify gardai of changed address fails in appeal

A man convicted of breaching sex offender notification requirements has failed in his appeal against conviction at the Court of Appeal. Ian Bissett was found guilty by jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in November 2014 of failing to notify gardaí of a changed address within seven days between July and August 2011, contrary to the Sex Offenders Act. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal on all grounds today. Mr Justice Alan Mahon, sitting with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Edwards, rejected arguments that hostel records admitted as evidence breached hearsay rules, finding they were maintained for ordinary business purposes. The court also found no merit in submissions that Bissett had not been expressly informed that breaching notification requirements carried criminal penalties. Bissett is due for release from custody in August.