Fine Gael TD under fire over paedophile representation

[Maximus]

Fine Gael TD Pat Breen came under fire yesterday from rights group One in Four over enquiring in the Dáil into the possibility of a convicted paedophile being eligible for an early release.

In a written Dail question to Justice Minister Michael McDowell, Pat Breen asked when 74-year-old bachelor farmer, Joseph Nugent, from Dromellihy, Cree, Co Clare, would be eligible for early release.

Nugent was jailed for 2002 for six years following his conviction for the abuse of two young boys. At the time Judge Brian McMahon said that Nugent had acted in a premeditated and predatory nature for his own self-gratification and beastly pleasure and that the abuse on a neighbour, who was aged eight when the abuse started, involved the use of physical violence by an adult on a young child.

Breen claims he tabled the Dail question after being approached by a relative of Mr Nugent at a clinic to enquire into the question of early release, (and that he) wouldn't be in favour of an early release in the case.

McDowell confirmed there was no question of early release.

.... sounds like an appalling lack of judgment on Breens part.

[popper]

I trust people remember this when they come to vote.

[ryano]

<MOD>I edited the thread title as "rep" was ambiguous</MOD>

[Johnny]

The parish pump mentality at its most base level.

[popper]

It's surely worse than "parish pump" johnny. If politicians are (rightly) called to account over relationships based on money then they should be made accountable for representations made on behalf of a creature that was responsible for one of the worst acts imaginable. If I was a member of the same party I would expect that the party would take action against him, even to the extent of forcing him to stand down for re-election.

[Kerrygold]

It's surely worse than "parish pump" johnny. If politicians are (rightly) called to account over relationships based on money then they should be made accountable for representations made on behalf of a creature that was responsible for one of the worst acts imaginable. If I was a member of the same party I would expect that the party would take action against him, even to the extent of forcing him to stand down for re-election.

Looks like FG are outdoing the PD's for the Pedo vote. Well done.

[White Horse]

.... sounds like an appalling lack of judgment on Breens part.

Yes, an appalling lack of judgement eventhough it was his duty to ask the question on behalf of a constituent.

[Kerrygold]

.... sounds like an appalling lack of judgment on Breens part.

Yes, an appalling lack of judgement eventhough it was his duty to ask the question on behalf of a constituent.

No it wasn't. He could have said "F*ck off, I'm not making representations for any pedo sicko. I hope he rots in jail for what he did. Get out of my office...etc...

[Maximus]

.... sounds like an appalling lack of judgment on Breens part.

Yes, an appalling lack of judgement eventhough it was his duty to ask the question on behalf of a constituent.

He could have declined to ask the question, what about his “duty” to the victim? Stop digging, the whole affair is appalling.

[Libero]

.... sounds like an appalling lack of judgment on Breens part.

Yes, an appalling lack of judgement eventhough it was his duty to ask the question on behalf of a constituent.

He could have declined to ask the question, what about his “duty” to the victim? Stop digging, the whole affair is appalling.

You sad hack. Asking a question isn't the same as lobbying, and you know it.

He could have said "F*ck off, I'm not making representations for any pedo sicko. I hope he rots in jail for what he did. Get out of my office...etc...

Again, asking a question isn't quite lobbying. Or are you really saying that paedophiles deserve no representation whatsoever and are to be treated as vermin? That's a funny sort of republicanism.