Call for reform in handling of paedophilia cases

A LOBBY group has called for radical reform of how the Director of Public Prosecutions and the judiciary deal with paedophilia cases.

The organisation 19+1 met with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny over the weekend to highlight its campaign during the election.

“We need a root and branch change as to how the State handles these cases,” said 19+1 co-ordinator Alice McDermott, a survivor of child sexual abuse.

“There are tens of thousands of people like us out there. Up until recently I stayed hidden and silent. The DPP and the State rely on that, but no more of that. The only thing I’m ashamed of is living in a state like this.”

Ms McDermott was raped until she was aged 11. The abuse stopped in 1972 after she told her mother, who confronted the abuser.

She reported the abuse to gardaí a number of years ago after she discovered her abuser had access to children through his wife, who worked as a childminder.

“I nearly got sick, I had to do something So I set up a lobby group.”

She said 19+1 took its name from the statistic that only one of 20 cases reported to gardaí result in a prosecution.

Gardaí sent a file on her case to the DPP in 2003. “I had to wait two years for my case to reach a decision, but it was chucked.”

Ms McDermott said she and the gardaí were told of the decision through the abuser, two months before the formal decision was made. The gardaí resubmitted the file in 2005, this time containing evidence from a medical examination carried out when Ms McDermott was a child, which suggested rape. Again the file was rejected.

19+1 is pushing for:

People to have direct contact with the DPP’s office and the name of the official handling their case.

A change in the DPP’s decision not to give a reason for his decisions.

A speedier court system

Training for judges, lawyers and gardaí.

Mandatory minimum sentences and consistent sentencing for offenders

Ms McDermott said she had asked the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the Tánaiste, Michael McDowell for a meeting in January, but had not got a reply.

Mr Kenny said Ms McDermott’s case was a heartbreaking example of what was wrong with the justice system. He said Fine Gael would improve the rights of victims if elected.

19+1 can be contacted on 087-6798567.