Statutory rape ruling - Scandalous scenario now unfolding

A TRULY appalling vista is unfolding following yesterday’s High Court decision to allow a 41-year-old man, convicted of the statutory rape of a 12-year-old girl, to walk free from prison even though he knew her age and plied her with drink before having sex with her.

Serving a three-year sentence for unlawful carnal knowledge, Mr A’s immediate release was ordered by High Court judge Mary Laffoy, who found his detention was rendered unlawful by last week’s Supreme Court decision to strike down as unconstitutional the law on statutory rape.

Despite Justice Minister McDowell’s knee-jerk claim that there was no gaping void in the system, this is the second sex offender to be freed. Six other cases involving rape of underage girls are known to be in the pipeline and more could follow.