McDowell hits out at Mr A media ‘hysteria’

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell yesterday blamed media and opposition “hysteria” for forcing him to rush through emergency legislation to deal with the statutory rape crisis.

The minister insisted he had no regrets over his handling of the political turmoil which engulfed the Government following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down child rape laws as unconstitutional.

Mr McDowell said the media was responsible for “creating” the crisis which followed the ruling and the subsequent temporary early release of child rapist Mr A.