GARDAÍ are investigating a possible incitement to hatred offence following the appearance of posters in Wexford alleging that a convicted child sex offender has moved to the area.

The posters – which declare 'English paedophiles now in Enniscorthy. Keep an eye on your children. It could be your child next' – have been removed since they appeared last week. They also give specific details about the man's whereabouts, his identity and appearance.

The identity of those responsible for hanging the notices is not known but it is understood that gardaí are investigating the matter.

Wexford County Council chairman Peter Byrne told the Sunday Tribune that the identity of the man is known in the area but that nothing has happened to him as a result of the notices.

"We wouldn't have encountered anything like this before with posters," he said.

"But if there is a sex offenders register and if he is on it I assume the guards know about it and the people who need to know about it do.

"Maybe it's no harm that people know but I don't think that anything has happened; he wasn't attacked, nor was his house."

The laminated notices, which appeared on a number of lampposts in Enniscorthy, give directions to the person's house and suggested: "Maybe we should form a residents' association to move him out of Enniscorthy".

A statement from gardaísaid: "We will investigate all aspects of this incident including possible offences under the incitement to hatred legislation."

They have appealed for witnesses or anybody with information to contact Enniscorthy garda station.