Cowen disagrees with Supreme Court ruling and backs McDowell

BRIAN COWEN strongly defended beleaguered Justice Minister Michael McDowell last night and said he disagreed with the Supreme Court ruling on statutory rape.

Finance Minister Cowen insisted Mr McDowell had full Government support over his handling of the fallout from the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down statutory rape laws as unconstitutional.

Mr Cowen said he did not agree with the ruling, but said he respected the court’s judgement.