MATT O’HARE FROM LISBURN FACES SERIOUS CHARGES OVER SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION BREACHES

A 63-year-old software developer named Matthew O’Hare, originally from Monbrief Walk in Lurgan, has appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court to face serious allegations related to breaches of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) and violations of the police sex offenders’ register. The court proceedings revealed a series of alleged infractions that have raised concerns about his compliance with court-mandated restrictions and reporting obligations.

According to the charges, O’Hare is accused of violating his SOPO on two separate occasions. The first incident reportedly occurred on October 14 of the previous year, during a home visit conducted by his designated risk manager. During this visit, the officer examined O’Hare’s mobile phone and discovered that he had installed two social media applications without obtaining the necessary permission. This was deemed a breach of the conditions set out in his SOPO. Additionally, the officer observed that parts of O’Hare’s web browsing history had been deleted on multiple dates, which was also considered a further violation of the order.

The second alleged breach took place on April 29 of this year. On that day, during another home visit, O’Hare was invited to come in for a formal interview. Instead of complying fully, he produced two mobile phones, neither of which had been registered or approved by his designated risk manager. The police had previously warned that possession of unapproved devices was a breach of his SOPO. Following this incident, O’Hare was detained on May 2 at Musgrave Street, where police found the two mobile phones during a search. The discovery of these devices further reinforced the allegations that he was not adhering to the restrictions imposed by the court.

In addition to the SOPO breaches, O’Hare is also accused of failing to fulfill his legal obligation to notify authorities of his current personal details. Specifically, on December 7, he allegedly neglected to provide his name, address, and date of birth as required by the sex offenders’ register. This failure to complete his annual notification was flagged during routine system checks, which noted that the process had not been carried out to date.

During the court hearing, a detective constable emphasized the seriousness of the case, highlighting that O’Hare is classified as a “category one offender” with a SOPO in place until March 2027. The officer explained that O’Hare’s history of breaches and his failure to comply with court orders posed significant concerns. The detective also pointed out that O’Hare is currently serving a suspended sentence for an earlier breach, which further complicates his case. The police strongly opposed granting him bail, citing fears that he might commit further offences given his apparent disregard for legal restrictions.

In response, defence counsel Peter Coiley argued that, despite the alleged breaches, O’Hare could be granted bail if certain conditions were imposed. However, District Judge Eamon King was clear in his decision, instructing O’Hare that he was not to possess any mobile phones or devices capable of internet access while on bail. The judge emphasized the importance of compliance and warned O’Hare of the seriousness of the court’s expectations.

O’Hare was subsequently released on bail, with his case scheduled to be heard again on May 19. The proceedings underscore the ongoing concerns about the enforcement of court orders related to sex offenders and the importance of strict monitoring to prevent further violations.