SEX CRIME UNITS IN ALL GARDA STATIONS

Report’s advice after rugby rape trial

DEDICATED sex crime units in all Garda stations and a public awareness campaign on consent are recommended in a new report following a high-profile rugby rape trial.

The O’malley report, published today, was commissioned following widespread concerns about the experiences of vulnerable witnesses in criminal proceedings for sexual offences.

Free legal aid for rape victims is also among the 50 recommendations.

It comes more than two years after Ulster and Ireland rugby stars Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding were acquitted of raping a woman at a party.

The review, chaired by NUI Galway law lecturer Tom O’malley, contains 50 recommendations aimed at boosting rights and legal protections for victims of sex crimes.

Justice Minister Helen Mcentee vowed to rollout Garda Divisional Protective Services Units across every division over the next two months for tackling sexual violence, human trafficking, child abuse and domestic abuse. She also pledged

Olding and Jackson to bring a detailed plan on putting the all the proposals into action before Government within 10 weeks.

Ms Mcentee said: “We must work together to tackle and reduce the levels of these terrible crimes.

“Where an offence is committed, and where a wrong is done, we must ensure that all the necessary supports are in place so that victims will feel safe and supported when they come forward. I want the victims of sexual crimes to know that they will be listened to, that they will be treated with respect and dignity, and that they will be supported throughout the process.

“And I want the perpetrators of such crimes to know the crime they commit will be reported, will be investigated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Other actions that will be “immediately prioritised” include the rolling out of a public awareness campaign around the meaning of consent.

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