A Labour Senator has expressed concerns over vigilante groups approaching potential child sex offenders.
Ivana Bacik who is also a professor of criminal law at Trinity College says any evidence gathered may not hold up in court.
It follows a number of sting operations over the weekend where individuals were confronted by members of the public.
Kim Buckley has this report:
Yesterday a 55 year old RTE producer from Dublin appeared before Leeds Magistrates court with attempting to engage in sexual activity with a 13 year old girl after he was approached by members of an online group who set up a fake profile.
Separately, Gardai are investigating allegations of child grooming against two people in Co. Louth after a similar operation by another vigilante group.However, There are now concerns that evidence gathered in this manner might not hold up in court.
Labour Senator Ivana Bacik says that while everyone is concerned about children being groomed online, vigilantism might not be the way to go.
