The TD and the Paedophile
You might remember a recent controversy in Cork (and indeed, nationwide) when an elected representative of the Labour Party found herself at the centre of a scandal because of her apparent support for a convicted paedophile, Trevor Casey, in a case involving her own constituents. This letter was sent at the time and used by radio and newspapers, but I present it here for posterity. Deputy Lynch went on to defend her stance, before issuing an apology, albeit at the behest of Labour leader Eamon Gilmore. The incident served to illustrate the ignorance and insensitivity that rape cases are treated with in Ireland, but I hope that victims everywhere take heart from the public uproar that followed; for once, the silent majority in support of the victims was not silent. If the result of the trial or this show of support encourages victims to come forward and not be afraid to seek a prosecution, it can only be a good thing.
An Open Letter to Kathleen Lynch, TD (Labour)
Teachta Lynch,
It has recently come to my attention that yourself and Councillor John Murray of the Labour party recently wrote letters for consideration in the sentencing of convicted serial paedophile rapist Trevor Casey, portraying the convict in a positive light which therefore must be considered, given the purpose of the letters and their reading at time of sentencing similar to victim impact statements, support of leniency toward Trevor Casey. They can have served no other reasoned purpose.
While I am aware that Mr Casey’s father is a close personal friend of yours, I cannot but be appalled that you, as a mother of two girls or as a representative of the people of Cork North Central, would in effect plead for the earlier release in your area of a convicted paedophile rapist, causing further anger and anguish to your own constituents and indeed, family members of your supporters.
While the defendant and his family refuse to accept the conviction and choose to portray themselves as victims of some form of injustice, it would in my opinion be your place to distance yourself from your friendly relationship and certainly to not get involved to the point where you are writing letters, as a TD, for consideration during sentencing.
I am of the opinion that you have let yourself and your constituents down by letting your own personal commitments influence how you used your own official power in order to support such a cause. We have spent a year hounding a man out of government because of suspicion of improper use of his official power, and it strikes me as extremely short sighted of you to at the same time barefacedly and publicly breach the trust that the people of your constituency, and the people of Ireland in general, have placed in you.
I am disgusted. One of the convict’s 14 years has been suspended in light of the defendants ‘apparently clean background’. When you reflect upon the 4 convictions of rape of a minor, 4 convictions of sexual assault on a minor, or the further pending case against Mr Casey of sexual abuse against another, separate 13 year old, I hope you wonder if perhaps using your influence as a politician to pursue personal allegiances and agendas have any responsibility for that year’s suspension.
Your Constituent,
Gavin Golden,
Cork North Central.
Tags: corrupt, jail, labour, paedophile, politics, rape, trevor casey