McDowell to rush through emergency rape legislation

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell last night announced that emergency legislation to restore the crime of statutory rape would be rushed through tomorrow.

Mr McDowell told the Seanad that he would restore protection for children under the age of 15 and that the debate was being moved forward by five days.

In the face of outraged public reaction over the release on Tuesday of a man who raped a 12-year-old, Mr McDowell’s announcement last night was a major climbdown by the Government.