Ahern ‘kite-flying’ with rape law referendum call

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern was accused of “kite-flying” last night after suggesting that the statutory rape law could be restored by way of a public vote.

Mr Ahern said he had consulted Attorney General Rory Brady on the issue, whose advice was that the Constitution could be changed to restore the law if the electorate so decided in a referendum.

The referendum would effectively abolish the defence of honest mistake in underage sex prosecutions.