Justice ‘was told of rape law appeal in 2002’

TÁNAISTE Mary Harney yesterday admitted that the Justice Department was warned three-and-a-half years ago about the case which led to the early release of a self-confessed child rapist.

Ms Harney said an “information deficit” occurred after the Chief State Solicitor’s Office informed the Government of the court action in November 2002.

The Tánaiste added that even if the Government had acted at the outset of the case involving Mr A, the legislation could not have been applied retrospectively to keep him in jail.