Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 25 October 2017

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution

Termination Arising From Rape: Mr. Tom O'Malley, NUI Galway; Dublin Rape Crisis Centre; and Dr. Maeve Eogan, Rotunda Hospital

1:30 pm

Mr. Tom O'Malley:

Yes. It would be the Director of Public Prosecutions who is taking the case who would have to satisfy the court beyond reasonable doubt. In all those cases, unless the complainant, the victim, is there to give evidence - because she will be the principal prosecution witness and her role is crucial in the trial process - I do not think it is possible to secure a conviction.