RCNI Press Release 20 June 2008
This sentence is a failure in good child protection
Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) are outraged at the sentence of 2 years, 12 months suspended handed down to Anthony Nagle in the Cork Circuit Court for child exploitation and the production of child pornography. The RCNI believe this sentence must be considered by the DPP for appeal.
Fiona Neary, RCNI Director, said ‘this man committed a number of very serious sexual offences against a child. His actions and the mitigation put forward by his team tell us that despite his guilty plea he wishes to be seen as having a very low level of responsibility for his actions. In giving him a 12 month term in jail did the Judge agreed with him? The RCNI are appalled at what this case and sentence tells us about our standards of child protection.
‘Mr Nagle was a trusted friend of the family. His offences involved luring the child to his home on false pretences, it involved premeditatedly buying alcohol and plying the child with it and cannabis, it involved lying to the child’s mother about her location while he was in the act of sexually abusing her, it involved videotaping this abuse, it involved continuing the sexual exploitation over a period of hours and while the child was semi-conscious under the influence of the alcohol and drugs she has been plied with.
‘In a plea for mitigation, which included an apology, Nagel’s team attempted to paint the semi-conscious15 year old child as sexually provocative and Nagel as an unfortunate victim. Is this a man who has taken responsibility for his actions? Is this a man who, if he had not been caught, would have any regrets about his actions?
‘He may well have believed there would be little consequences for his actions. With the sentence handed down he was right on that count.
‘Messages on child protection, particularly for vulnerable teenagers, must be clear and unambiguous from the legislation through to sentencing. Government and judges are failing to deliver that child protection message.
‘While Mr. Nagel is now on the sex offenders register, no incentives were directed towards seeking treatment and risk reduction. The conditions of his release are not based on an assessment of his risk to society, post-release treatment and compliance. This is a further failure in child protection.’
Notes:
• The RCNI is the National Rape Crisis sector body, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear: 087 2196447
……………..End…………………
Fiona Neary, RCNI Director, said ‘this man committed a number of very serious sexual offences against a child. His actions and the mitigation put forward by his team tell us that despite his guilty plea he wishes to be seen as having a very low level of responsibility for his actions. In giving him a 12 month term in jail did the Judge agreed with him? The RCNI are appalled at what this case and sentence tells us about our standards of child protection.
‘Mr Nagle was a trusted friend of the family. His offences involved luring the child to his home on false pretences, it involved premeditatedly buying alcohol and plying the child with it and cannabis, it involved lying to the child’s mother about her location while he was in the act of sexually abusing her, it involved videotaping this abuse, it involved continuing the sexual exploitation over a period of hours and while the child was semi-conscious under the influence of the alcohol and drugs she has been plied with.
‘In a plea for mitigation, which included an apology, Nagel’s team attempted to paint the semi-conscious15 year old child as sexually provocative and Nagel as an unfortunate victim. Is this a man who has taken responsibility for his actions? Is this a man who, if he had not been caught, would have any regrets about his actions?
‘He may well have believed there would be little consequences for his actions. With the sentence handed down he was right on that count.
‘Messages on child protection, particularly for vulnerable teenagers, must be clear and unambiguous from the legislation through to sentencing. Government and judges are failing to deliver that child protection message.
‘While Mr. Nagel is now on the sex offenders register, no incentives were directed towards seeking treatment and risk reduction. The conditions of his release are not based on an assessment of his risk to society, post-release treatment and compliance. This is a further failure in child protection.’
Notes:
• The RCNI is the National Rape Crisis sector body, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear: 087 2196447
……………..End…………………