Press Release: Justice  31 May 2006

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Dún Laoghaire, Environment, Justice and Latest Press Releases

31 May 2006

Green Party proposes new amendment to close loophole in Statutory Rape Law

"Simple amendment will close gaping hole in our legislation"

 The Green Party has proposed a simple amendment that would close the loophole exposed in recent days in the statutory rape legislation.  

Section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1935 states:

“Any person who unlawfully and carnally knows any girl under the age of fifteen years shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable on conviction thereof to penal servitude for life or for any term not less than three years or to imprisonment for any term not exceeding two years.”  

Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD stated:

“An amendment adding the words ‘whom he or she knows or has reason to believe is’ after the word ‘girl’ would address the immediate crisis in our legal system. More time can then be spent legislating for less pressing issues such as establishing a uniform age of consent. 

“Minister McDowell must produce a bill today to address this gaping hole in our legislation. Failure to do so leaves our children at risk. 

“The Minister must also clarify what information he had in his possession on this legal challenge and when he acquired it. The Tánaiste Mary Harney indicated in the Dáil today that McDowell’s Department was notified by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office in November 2002 that the legislation was being challenged, yet the Minister claims that he and his staff only learned of the challenge through media reports. ”

Ciarán's recent press releases on this issue:

30 May 2006

Green Party calls for immediate introduction of statutory rape legislation

26 May 2006

Green Party repeats call for immediate legislative reform to protect young people

24 May 2006

Green Party calls for immediate legislative reform to protect young people