The Dáil has heard the Government is failing to respond to an “epidemic of sexual violence” in Ireland.

It comes after two teenage boys were handed prison sentences for murdering schoolgirl Ana Kriegel.

Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger said the case marked “probably the most extreme example of sexual assault and misogyny the country has seen.”

She said Ireland’s support services do not have the resources to respond to what the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has called a “public health epidemic of sexual violence.”

She also claimed that there is still a culture of victim blaming within the Irish legal system.

Speaking under Dáil privilege, she said: “Is it any wonder we have reports of famous sports celebrities strutting around with impunity despite sexual assault allegations?” she said.

“Are women to go into hiding every time such a figure decides to go on a night out?”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar talking to the media at Government Buildings in Dublin | Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Government is “doing quite a lot” in response to an “epidemic of gender-based violence in Ireland and indeed across the world.”

He said funding for support services had increased by 20% and the Government was working to modernise Ireland’s laws and legal system.

Deputy Coppinger said the increase “goes no way to meeting the demand” for support service.

“Your Government gave €25m to the entire support sector but yet you saw fit to give €17m to a cruel and ailing greyhound industry,” she said.

She said the government has “failed abysmally” in its response to the situation.