Courts / Dublin / Report
No register of specialist court intermediaries in Ireland, rape appeal hears
Summary
The Court of Appeal heard that Ireland lacks a register of professionals qualified to assist vulnerable witnesses, such as children and people with intellectual disabilities, in court. The Director of Public Prosecutions had to travel to Northern Ireland to find a registered intermediary for a teenage girl who was raped and sexually assaulted by her mother's partner. A barrister for the Law Reform Commission argued that Ireland should have a register similar to Britain's, which includes speech therapists, clinical psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists trained for court work. The DPP used an external intermediary, and the court noted that legislation requiring intermediaries was introduced in 1992 but no register exists. The case involved a girl aged 11 and 12 who was raped between April 2015 and September 2016. She denied that her mother prompted her allegations. The jury found the defendant guilty on all eight counts, and a 13‑year prison sentence was imposed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: No register of specialist court intermediaries in Ireland, rape appeal hears. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- April 2015 Incident
- September 2016 Incident
- 2020-12-18 Publication
Why: Ms Biggs said the ground of appeal suggests that because the girl has an intellectual disability the jury should automatically be given a corroboration warning. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request