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Labour TD submits character reference in rape case...

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  • 18-04-2008 2:42pm
    #1
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭


    ...Kathleen Lynch TD looks like she could be in trouble.

    Trevor Casey was sentenced to 14 years today in the High Court.

    2 months ago (20th February) he was convicted of 7 charges of sexual assault and rape. The 2 girls he assaulted and raped were sisters. And sisters of his at the time girlfriend and mother of his child.

    In echoes of the Tony Killeen scandal of last year, the Court received letters of support for the rapist from Kathleen Lynch TD.

    Unlike the Killeen case, not sure that she can hide behind the nonsense that she sends out so many letters that she doesn't know what's in them. She was friendly with the accused's family.

    Guess much will depend on whether she wrote the letter before or after conviction. The accused had contested the case. But there's a pretty strong reaction on Cork sites, even from those who know the TD and voted for her.


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    #2
    The_Minister
    Registered Users Posts: 10,255 ✭✭✭✭The_Minister


    :confused:
    Letters of support to a criminal trial???
    Is that allowed?
    Or was it a character reference?


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    #3
    Sherifu
    Registered Users Posts: 17,727 ✭✭✭✭Sherifu


    "The judge said he noted letters received from Labour TD Kathleen Lynch and former Lord Mayor of Cork John Murray indicating that Casey came from a well regarded family but he said there was little in the way of mitigating circumstances."
    rte.ie

    Looks like a character reference.


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    #4
    cuckoo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,945 ✭✭✭cuckoo


    Sherifu wrote: »
    "The judge said he noted letters received from Labour TD Kathleen Lynch and former Lord Mayor of Cork John Murray indicating that Casey came from a well regarded family but he said there was little in the way of mitigating circumstances."
    rte.ie

    Looks like a character reference.

    I don't understand - do TDs routinely write these letters for accused/convicted-awaiting-sentence rapists?

    If she did it as a service for her constituents, well then parish pump politics and clientism is out of control, and if she did it as a favour to friends of her's , that's a stupid abuse of position. Either way, it reflects badly on her.


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    #5
    The_Minister
    Registered Users Posts: 10,255 ✭✭✭✭The_Minister


    Turns out the other fella is Labour too.
    Does anyone know if the accused or is parents are Labour supporters?


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    #6
    cuckoo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,945 ✭✭✭cuckoo


    In a statement today, Ms Lynch said she now accepted that it was inappropriate for a TD to get involved in any way in a case of such seriousness, and that she deeply regretted it if her action had added to the victims' ordeal.

    http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0420/caseyt.html

    I still think that it would be inappropriate for a TD to get involved in any case before the courts, serious or otherwise.


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    #7
    Overdraft
    Closed Accounts Posts: 175 ✭✭Overdraft


    With a little bit of luck Lynch will be turfed out at the next election. Although it would be nice if Gilmore turfed her out now. Astonishing stuff.


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    #8
    Fenian Ram
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7 ✭Fenian Ram


    Such a letter can help the judge in determining the sentence - if he has a family that will support him it might significant. Ultimately it's up to the judge, as long as the person writing the letter is truthful no harm will be done. Deputy Lynch can say that she was doing her civic duty. But, of course, it's bad for any politician to associate themselves in any way with such people.


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