TDs ‘should refrain’ from providing character references, says Martin

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

Public representatives should “refrain” from providing character references to anyone convicted of abuse or violence, the Taoiseach has said.

It comes after former Fianna Fáil TD Jim Glennon confirmed he had provided a reference for a convicted sex offender.

In March last year, Daniel Ramamoorthy was convicted of the sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old boy at a Christian children’s camp.

He had previously pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material.

In a statement, Mr Glennon – who was a TD for the Dublin North constituency between 2002 and 2007 – confirmed he had submitted a character reference for Ramamoorthy and said it was “an error of judgment” and that he had been “extremely naive” and “wrong” to do so.

He apologised to the victim and their family, and said he recognised his actions “may have added to the pain and distress already caused by the horrific abuse they endured, and I am deeply sorry for contributing to their suffering”.

Mr Glennon also said he would be “resigning from any and all employment, consultancies, and directorships that I currently hold”.

On Tuesday, Micheál Martin said it was “unacceptable” that anybody would give character references for someone convicted of the sexual exploitation of a young person.

“Under no circumstances should people give character references in those situations”, he said.

Speaking to reporters outside Government Buildings before Cabinet, the Taoiseach said the practice of providing character references was one he was “not enthused about” and was of the view they “are not a great help to the courts”.

Asked if TDs should be restricted from giving character references, he said “particularly in terms of any convictions or any situations pertaining to sexual abuse, or any form of abuse or violence, I think public representatives should refrain from providing such character references”.