Taoiseach appoints ’eminent person’ to examine rules around court evidence

THE Taoiseach said he has commissioned an “eminent person” to examine the rules around evidence in the courts.

It follows outrage last week after a defence barrister in a rape trial referred to the alleged teenage victim’s underwear.

The case, in which the male accused was acquitted, was brought to wider attention on Tuesday when TD Ruth Coppinger held up a thong in the Dail chamber to highlight the outrage felt by sections of the public.

It also sparked a popular social media campaign with women posting pictures of their underwear.

There were also protests in cities and towns across Ireland last week during which thongs and placards were held aloft with the words “this is not consent”.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told RTE 1 earlier today that he has asked an “eminent person” to examine the rules around evidence in court cases.

He said: “It doesn’t matter what you wear, where you go, who you go with or whether you have taken alcohol or drugs.

“This is an area that absolutely requires examination, we are committed to doing that and we are going to do that.

“If we need to make changes, we will.”

Mr Varadkar said perhaps changes could be made “so people can’t produce some of these defences which I think all of us find quite sickening”.