Call for DPP to explain why ‘Irish Fritzl’ was not prosecuted

THE Director of Public Prosecutions should explain why he did not pursue a case against a man who allegedly raped and imprisoned his stepdaughter over a 10-year period, it has been claimed.

Head of children’s charity Barnardos, Fergus Finlay, said it was difficult to understand why no prosecution had taken place following such serious claims of rape and abuse.

Branded the “Irish Fritzl” case, details came to light following a harrowing interview on Newstalk radio this week, where an unidentified woman alleged that her stepfather had abused her throughout her teenage years and fathered her five children.

Mr Finlay said perhaps people needed to know why the case was not pursued, and blasted the HSE’s involvement, stating social workers had let the woman down.

Meanwhile, Meave Lewis, head of One in Four, a charity for victims of sexual abuse, said women abused by a family member and who became pregnant as a result present about twice a year.

“This is not a common occurrence but it is not unusual either,” she said.

Ms Lewis said, in cases such as this, abuse can start in childhood and carry through into adulthood.

“The abuser has such control over the victim that it completely undermines the personality and forces them to stay in the situation,” she said.

Ellen O’Malley Dunlop of the Dublin Rape Crisis Network said the woman’s story was similar to those her organisation hears every day and said it proved the need for a referendum to protect Irish children.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said he was not aware of the case, apart from what he had read in the newspapers.

“It’s a matter for the DPP who, I understand, made a decision in that respect. Other than that, I’m not aware of the case.”

He said it was not for him to tell the DPP to review the case: “He’s independent. He has indicated in certain circumstances he will consider giving reasons, but I’m not sure that would pertain in this particular case.”

A spokesman for Children’s Minister Barry Andrews said: “Minister Andrews is extremely concerned about the allegations made on the Sean Moncrieff Show. He has asked the HSE to provide him with any known details relating to the case.”

A Garda spokesman said it was not the policy of An Garda Síochána to comment on individual cases.

* Contacts: Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour freephone 1800 778888. One in Four 01-6624070.