Victim's mother: The mother of the victim in the Mr A case has said the State has failed her family.
Mr A was released from prison by the High Court this week, after the Supreme Court struck down the law on statutory rape. Mr A had been serving a three-year sentence for the unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim when she was aged 12. Mr A, who is now aged 41, was 38 at the time.
Speaking on Gerry Ryan's 2fm radio programme yesterday, the mother, known as Jackie, said she was not informed by the authorities about Mr A's appeal but read about it in a newspaper.
She said attending his appeal on Tuesday "was like a nightmare. It was like living it all over again." Jackie added that she never thought the man would be released early.
When asked how the family would survive in light of recent developments, the woman said: "I might but I don't think my daughter will."
Jackie said her daughter was very confused as she was just a child when the attack took place. She said the girl found it difficult to talk about the attack and only once "told me how hurt she was and asked me why".
The woman said the family had not been offered any counselling or legal support from the authorities since Mr A's release.
"What about my daughter? Everyone is focusing on this person but what about me, what about her and what about my family? What support and help have we got? We haven't been protected by the State . . .
"They've let me down an awful lot. I'd like to see justice done. He should still be in jail."