Dept to clarify position on statutory rape appeals
24/05/2006 - 13:05:59The Department of Justice has said it will clarify its position this afternoon on possible appeals against statutory rape convictions.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled that Ireland's current laws in the area are unconstitutional.
The law as it currently stands makes it an automatic crime to have sex with a girl under the age of 15, regardless of whether it was consensual.
The Supreme Court said this breached the Constitution because the accused may not have been aware that the girl he had sex with was so young.
The Prison Service is currently examining its records to determine how many men may be affected by the ruling.
The Government has already promised to bring in new legislation within a matter of weeks.
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