ANGRY exchanges punctuated the contribution of former Education Minister Michael Woods in the Dáil discussion of the Ryan Report, after he defended his role in securing the indemnity deal for religious orders.

Thought-provoking stuff.

A man was arrested today in connection with the alleged rape of a young woman at the Oxegen music festival.

SEXUAL assaults, shootings and theft against the person cases have jumped in the third quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2002, new statistics released yesterday show.

If Government promises were enough to resolve our problems, we would probably have no problems, because the current Government has never been short on promises.

ABUSE victim support services will join forces this week to respond to the massive outpouring expected from the publication of the Dublin Archdiocese report.

A Dublin man who raped his nephew’s wife while she was sleeping beside her husband and toddler has been sentenced to eight years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended.

A FRIEND of mine once said to me “surely it’s for the makers of pornography to prove it’s harmless than for others to prove how harmful it is”.

ALMOST 300 serious crimes were committed every day last year — 55 more daily than in 2001.

A six-month sentence given to a Roscommon man convicted of sexually abusing his five-year-old daughter is "too lenient", it has been claimed.

Record damages of €4m awarded by the High Court to a 55-year-old woman who was repeatedly raped and abused as a teenager may suggest juries are becoming more aware of the long-term effects of child sexual abuse, according to the Rape Crisis Network.

LEAVING Certificate revellers are being urged to agree on safe driving plans this evening if celebrations include travel by car.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern today revealed he has no power to interfere in the imminent release of one of Ireland’s most notorious rapists.

Two high-profile organisations that support victims of sexual violence have condemned Amnesty International for voting in favour of decriminalising prostitution, and one has cancelled its membership of the human rights body.

The recording and distribution of sexual assaults, including rape, needs to be made a criminal offence, according to Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI).