Man with sexual offence conviction failed to notify gardaí of move to Mayo

A man who was convicted of a sexual offence overseas but then failed to notify An Garda Síochána of this upon moving to Ireland has been fined in the District Court.

Frantisek Mirga, with an address in Swinford, pleaded guilty at Ballina District Court to failing to comply with notification requirements under the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

An offender convicted of a sexual offence listed in the schedule of this Act is required to notify the gardaí of the offence.

If an offender is convicted of a sexual offence outside Ireland that is comparable to a sexual offence listed under the Sex Offenders Act 2001, they are subject to the same notification requirements.

Sergeant Donal Raftery told the court Mirga was convicted of statutory rape at Cardiff Crown Court in Wales in August 2023 and was placed on a sex offenders register.

He was deported to Czechia and moved to Ireland in December 2025.

He failed to notify gardaí of the offence as required under the Sex Offenders Act as required between December 2025 and April 2026 and was subsequently arrested for this.

Mirga had a number of previous convictions.

Solicitor Henry McCole told the court his client was fully cooperative with the gardaí.

He admitted to not notifying them and thought he did not have to do this, as Ireland has a different jurisdiction to the United Kingdom.

Mr. McCole said his client moved to Ireland in order to “move on with life.”

Judge Vincent Deane imposed a fine of €1,000.

* Funded under the Courts Reporting Scheme.