Call for mandatory sentences in child pornography cases

ONE of the country’s top child law experts has called for mandatory minimum sentences for people possessing child pornography or engaged in the sexual grooming of children online.

Geoffrey Shannon, the Oireachtas Rapporteur on Children, made the call after it was revealed that more than 1,000 Irish people traded in child pornography in a 30-day period.

“I’m going to be draconian in what I suggest, but I think it is absolutely fundamental,” said Mr Shannon. “We need a policy of zero tolerance in so far as this issue is concerned.