Story perspectives

Survivor Demands Action on Character References in Abuse Cases

12/7/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Tony Gribben, a clerical abuse survivor, calls on Northern Ireland's Justice Minister Naomi Long to limit character references in sexual offence cases.
He cites a 2022 incident where two priests gave references for a convicted paedophile, calling it a safeguarding failure.
Gribben says the issue should be addressed in the ongoing sentencing guidelines review.
The debate intensified after SDLP councillor Brian Tierney faced backlash for backing a rapist's reference.

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Story summary

Tony Gribben, a clerical abuse survivor, calls on Northern Ireland's Justice Minister Naomi Long to limit character references in sexual offence cases.
He cites a 2022 incident where two priests gave references for a convicted paedophile, calling it a safeguarding failure.
Gribben says the issue should be addressed in the ongoing sentencing guidelines review.
The debate intensified after SDLP councillor Brian Tierney faced backlash for backing a rapist's reference.