25/06/2010

Sex Crime Brothers' Spark Review

Following outrage in a sleepy border village over the return of two unpunished sex crime brothers into the community, it has emerged that new laws to deal with such offenders who are mentally unfit to stand trial are under discussion.

BBC NI reported that the Stormont Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey had responded to criticism of the current system after the abuse case by four brothers in the Fermanagh village of Donagh ended with one in jail - one commiting suicide - and the two others 'send home'.

Commenting on the anger felt over news that two of the brothers are back living in the community, Mr McGimpsey described the case of the McDermott brothers as "shocking".

Between them they faced 61 charges of abusing young children in Donagh over a period of more than 30 years.

Last Friday, John Michael McDermott, 60, of Moorlough Road, Donagh, was sentenced for 35 charges of sexually abusing children over 30 years.

He was jailed for nine years and given three years probation. His most serious crime was the rape of a boy.

His two brothers, James, 61, and Owen Roe McDermott, 52, from Moorlough Road, Donagh, were found to have committed a number of sex attacks - but they were declared mentally unfit to stand trial.

They were given lifetime sexual offences prevention orders and were banned from schools and playgrounds in the village and from having access to anyone aged under 16.

See: Uproar As Child Abuse Brothers 'Released'

(BMcC/GK)

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