Rape ruling debacle - Blame lies solely with Government

THERE should be absolutely no doubt that the Government — and it alone — stands utterly discredited by the appalling ineptitude the country witnessed, this week, after the Supreme Court struck out our 1935 law on statutory rape.

Political expediency cannot deflect that ultimate liability, after the convicted rapist of a 12-year-old girl was freed from prison in the face of assurances this would not happen — from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

It was unconscionable that the Government should have allowed a lacuna in the law that has afforded dangerous men practical impunity.