Simply atrocious – a child’s life and soul for a week’s wages

AS A Corkwoman working and living in Asia I feel that I have to express my horror and disgust at the outcome of the Tim Allen case.

Living in this part of the world opens your eyes to the extent and reach of what is known as 'the sex industry.' The daily exploitation of women and girls as young as 12 can be seen in the 'sex service industry' that is available on the side of any road here in Taiwan.

The name of the individual in this case doesn't really matter What is important, and what has to be criticised in the severest manner, is the sentence that was given for the proven possession of pornographic images of children as young as five involved in sexual acts. €40,000 is a cheap price to pay for 92 photographs concerned with the sexual exploitation of children. This works out at €434.78 per photo, a rare 'bargain' indeed.

We in Ireland are already aware of the unequal value put on people, depending on their social status and circumstances, but for a judge as the moral arbiter of justice and equality to place the value of a child involved in such distressing and destructive acts at a little over €400 must surely ring some alarm bells. How will this dirty money be received by the children in Calcutta?

Is it not a cynical demonstration that once again in our alleged civilised society, the life and soul of a child can be purchased for the price of a package holiday to Spain?

Is anyone listening? Does anyone really care? I'm beginning to think that we in Ireland now have one more thing in common with Asian Tiger economies the death of a child can be purchased legally for as little as an average weekly wage.

Nessa Cronin,

Department of English,

Da Yeh University,

Taiwan.