Courts / Dublin / Report
Court grants Irish Times access to ex-TD's character reference for convicted sex offender
Summary
The Court of Appeal granted the Irish Times access to character references for Daniel Ramamoorthy, a convicted sex offender, including one from former TD Jim Glennon. Ramamoorthy was convicted of sexually exploiting a 13-year-old boy at a Christian children's camp. Glennon later apologized for his involvement, calling the crime 'vile and of the most egregious nature'. The Irish Times applied for access to the references, arguing that public interest and open justice required their disclosure. The court agreed, noting that the references were part of the administration of justice. Ramamoorthy, a motivational speaker and entrepreneur, was jailed for two years and four months for the sexual exploitation offence. He pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material. The court criticized the character references for not addressing the victim or the nature of the crime. Glennon's apology and disavowal of the reference were highlighted, with the court emphasizing the importance of transparency in the justice process.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court grants Irish Times access to ex-TD's character reference for convicted sex offender. Charges or matters: a charge of possessing child sexual abuse material, referred to in law as child pornography. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- April 13 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 21 Other
- March 24 Incident
- 2026-06-16 Publication
Case subjects
Background Person
Charges: a charge of possessing child sexual abuse material, referred to in law as child pornography (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; The boy was shocked and did not respond to Ramamoorthy, who then told him: "I win truth or dare." Ramamoorthy was jailed for two years and four months by Judge Sinéad McMullen at the Central Criminal Court on March 24 last year. In appealing his sentence, Ramamoorthy's lawyers had suggested the term imposed was excessive and argued that the sentencing judge had failed to give sufficient weight to their client's "exceptional background" and history of public service and his previous pro-social life.
Appellant
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- The appeal court
- Circuit Criminal Court
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Central Criminal Court
- Whitebarn Road
- Rathfarnham
Topics
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