More than 200 sex offenders have been released from prison in the past two years, and 11 of them completed the specialised sex offender group treatment programme in Arbour Hill prison.

A further 348 sex offenders are currently in prison and 32 others are on remand, charged with sex offences, according to the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue.

He said in a written reply to Mr Dan Neville (FG, Limerick West) that 88 sex offenders were released on completion of their sentence in 1999 while 117 were released last year. Of those released in 1998 five did the specialised Arbour Hill course while six of those released last year did the course.

He also released statistics showing that almost 3,000 prosecutions have been taken for street violence offences since Operation Oiche began in October last year.

A total of 8,045 offences were detected since the operation began, he said in a written reply to Mr Alan Shatter, Fine Gael's Justice spokesman. Overall, 5,796 prosecutions have been taken including the 2,786 for street violence.

Of the offences recorded 702 were for assault, 15 were for threats to kill or cause serious harm and 28 were syringe attacks. In total, there were 745 non-fatal offences against the person.

There were 6,554 public order offences, including 2,683 for being drunk in a public place, 585 for disorderly conduct and 2,312 for threatening or abusive behaviour.

There were 86 offences under the intoxicating Liquor Act all relating to sale of alcohol to people under 18.