LABOUR TD Kathleen Lynch has apologised for writing a reference letter on behalf of the parents of a Cork man who was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment for rape last Friday. She said she now accepted that the letter was inappropriate.
The letter by Ms Lynch was referred to by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy when imposing sentence on Trevor Casey (31), Closes Road, Fairhill, who was found guilty of four counts of rape and four counts of assault on two teenage girls, both sisters of his then girlfriend. The attacks occurred during 2003 and 2004.
Both victims gave evidence during the trial that he raped them after they woke up to find him in their beds.
One of the victims, in comments reported this weekend, said that she was shocked and angry that Ms Lynch had written a reference letter that had supported Casey's submission in relation to punishment.
In a statement issued yesterday, Ms Lynch said she had written the letter in good faith, that it testified as to the good character of Mr Casey's parents and was presented to the judge by his defending counsel.
Ms Lynch said: "Having heard an interview with one of the victims in the case, who was clearly distressed by my letter and having considered the matter and discussed it with colleagues, I now accept that it was inappropriate for a TD to have become involved in any way in a case of such seriousness.
"If my action has in any way added to the ordeal of the two victims in this case, then I deeply regret that and offer them my apologies."
Ms Lynch said that she had no issue with court process or the sentence imposed in the case. "I have long been an advocate of proper supports for victims of sexual offences and I believe that serious offenders should receive and serve appropriate sentences," she said.
