Sentences for sex offenders to be doubled under new Fianna Fáil bill

Sentences for child sex offenders could be extended to reflect the seriousness of the crime.

Fianna Fáil yesterday put forward a bill that would increase jail time served by sexual offenders from seven to 15 years.

The proposals were introduced in the Dáil yesterday but need cross-party support to become law.

Noeline Blackwell, head of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) says she fully supports the proposed changes.

She said: “It doesn’t mean that everyone will get 15 years but it says society takes this so seriously that we insist on having one of our most severe penalties."

“The damage that is done in sexually exploiting a child can be lifelong.”

The proposal comes after the leniency of Tom Humpries' prison sentence was heavily criticised. 

Last month, the former Irish Times journalist was jailed for just two-and-a-half years after he was found guilty of sexually abusing a young girl and grooming her two years.

The 54-year-old pleaded guilty to four counts of inviting a child to participate in a sexually explicit, obscene or indecent act between January 2010 and March 2011.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of defilement of the child between December 5, 2010 and February 19, 2011.

Speaking at the time of sentencing Noeline form the DRCC said:  "We may need to look at sentencing, but certainly just the implementation of sentencing is what's important about this case."