Brenda Power

And there will always be people who will suggest that this person was convicted in the wrong.

And by submitting a testimony to that effect,

I think that's the implication you're giving to the victim.

And it's tough enough for victims to come forward.

And it was really traumatising for them.

And to have to sit there and listen to, you know, well, as far as I know, he's a great fella, must be additionally difficult.

It makes it all worse.

So the only way that we will find out the name of this former TD is if the former TD tells us who they are.

Yeah.

That's right, because I think the Irish Times made an application to court yesterday to have the name released.

And the judge said, well, their testimony doesn't stand out from the very many others I got.

Well, then I'd say release them all.

But they decided not to single this person out to release it.

But I would say the counter argument then was, well, why are any of them being kept secret?

Brenda, thank you very much.

Brenda Power there, barrister and columnist on that situation.

The mystery, former TD who gave a character reference for a man who was convicted of a sexual offence against a child.