Some unpalatable aspects to new law, says McDowell

JUSTICE MINISTER Michael McDowell yesterday said the emergency legislation to outlaw statutory rape would have some very negative consequences for young people victimised by sexual predators.

Speaking on the Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences) Bill, which was rushed through the Dáil and Seanad yesterday, Mr McDowell pointed there were some unpalatable aspects to the new law.

The legislation had to reflect the Supreme Court ruling that a defence of honest belief that a young person was not under 15 or 17 years of age should exist.