Facebook vigilantes name alleged paedophiles

Limavady - A Facebook page with over 1000 followers has published pictures, names and addresses of alleged paedophiles living in the Limavady area of Northern Ireland.

According to BBC News, the police are monitoring a Facebook page, which has published personal details of alleged paedophiles. The police say they are aware of the founder of the page and that much of the information is already in the public domain. The Irish Examiner says that the police are concerned to ensure there is no breach of the legislation. News Talk adds the police have given advice and guidance to the page founder on what is and is not appropriate to be posted in the public domain. The Guardian reports the mayor of Limavady, Cathal McLaughlin, is disappointed that the police have not taken action to remove the page, and demanded it be taken down immediately. Chief Inspector Sam Donaldson, defended the police action, pointing out that the vast majority of the site content was already in the public domain as a result of news reports. However, as the Guardian notes, talk on the page includes suspected, as well as convicted, child abusers. The BBC also points out that the page has included threats.