Fine Gael front bench spokeswoman Nora Owen has called on the Taoiseach to apologise to the rape victim in the Naughton case that led to the resignation of Mr Bobby Molloy.
The controversy was over an attempted communication between a Department of the Environment official and High Court judge Mr Justice Philip O’Sullivan who was presiding over the rape case.
Mr Molloy announced his resignation as minister yesterday after the High Court judge accused him of trying to speak directly to him in relation to the case.
Mr Patrick Naughton was convicted for raping and buggering his daughter in the case.
Mrs Owen said the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste’s insistence the matter was not cause for the Minister’s resignation had created great hurt to the rape victim and she called on the Taoiseach to heed calls for an apology.