Ireland ‘must be tougher’ on sex offences

Far too many sexual crimes are committed in our society with impunity, the head of the country’s biggest rape crisis agency has said.

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop’s warning comes as Government officials flag the danger of the European Commission taking legal proceedings over Ireland’s continuing failure to implement an EU directive on sex crimes.

This requires new laws, including in relation to child pornography, grooming and the rights of victims.