Lynch willing to meet rape victims
One of the victims of a rapist has called on Labour TD Kathleen Lynch to apologise face to face for writing a letter on his behalf ahead of his sentencing last Friday.
Trevor Casey from Closes Road in Fair Hill was given a 14-year sentence with a year suspended for rape and sexual assault of the woman and her young sister in 2003 and 2004. The girls were then aged 14 and 16.
During the hearing, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy noted letters from Deputy Kathleen Lynch as well as former Lord Mayor of Cork John Murray, indicating that Casey came from a good family.
Today, the eldest of the two victims criticised the Labour TD for apologising to them through a media statement released yesterday and a radio interview on 96FM this morning.
The victim said: “I just want all this to be over. It was supposed to be finished last week with the sentencing.
“Kathleen Lynch did not have to go on radio — I would have appreciated a letter or a phone call from her to me directly.”
She said the controversy was prolonging the agony for her and her sister.
Deputy Lynch told the Evening Echo newspaper she would be willing to meet Casey’s victims and said she did not know who the girls were because the anonymity of victims of sex crimes are protected throughout the legal process and she wanted to respect this by not making enquiries about their identity.
Deputy Lynch said: “If they wish to talk to me at any stage, they can contact me directly.”
She said she regretted writing the letter if it had prolonged the agony of the victims.
In light of the controversy, Labour leader Deputy Eamon Gilmore will contact all party TDs this week to outline guidelines to them on how to deal with approaches from families such as Casey’s family for character references.
A spokesman for the party said Mr Gilmore would not be asking for her resignation.
