Saturday, November 21, 2009 Previous editions
Friday, May 26, 2006
ALMOST 120 prosecutions for unlawful carnal knowledge have been taken in the past six years, figures reveal.
The data shows 29 convictions for unlawful carnal knowledge, with 45 cases pending.
Information compiled from garda reports between 2000 and 2005 show 474 reported cases of unlawful carnal knowledge.
Of these, 307 (65%) have been detected by gardaí, resulting in 117 prosecutions (38% of detected cases).
Other garda figures show there have been 188 cases of rape or unlawful carnal knowledge committed by juveniles under the age of 17.
It is not clear whether most of these cases resulted in a criminal prosecution or if any of them were dealt with through the Juvenile Diversion Programme.
Garda reports record:
*16 convictions on indictment before the higher courts.
* 13 convictions at district court level.
* Nine cases pending before higher courts.
* 36 cases pending at district court level.
*1 nolle prosequi, or no prosecution.
It is not clear how many of the pending cases have been completed or their outcome.
There are no details regarding 45 cases where criminal proceedings have commenced.
The Courts Service estimates 54 people have been convicted of unlawful carnal knowledge in the past two years nationwide and since 2000 in Dublin and Limerick.
The Prison Service said it has seven people in custody solely on the basis of unlawful carnal knowledge.
The Garda Annual Report 2005 shows 37 cases of rape/unlawful carnal knowledge committed by a juvenile, compared to 21 in 2004.
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