Sexual offences Bill

[The Highlander]

The law says the 1st offense is a fine of €500, NOT a court appearance (where did people get this from?)

The heads of bill say nothing of the sort. Here's were people got the real facts from:

Head 10 New section 5A in Act of 1993
(offence of purchasing sexual services)

Provide that –
The following section is inserted after section 5 of the Act of 1993
“Offence of purchasing sexual services

5A(1) For the purposes of this head, the term “sexual service” shall have the same
meaning as the term “sexual activity.”

(2) Where, in the context of prostitution, any person who purchases a sexual service
from another person, in any place, he or she shall be guilty of an offence.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary
conviction to:

(a) a class E fine, in the case of a first conviction, or

(b) a class D fine, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction.

(4) Any person who attempts to purchase a sexual service from another person, in
any place, he or she shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary
conviction to a class E fine.


Fine classes
A summary offence is one which can only be dealt with by a judge sitting without a jury, that is, the District Court. Under the Fines Act 2010, since January 2011 there are 5 categories or classes of maximum fine applying to summary convictions. If someone is liable on summary conviction to a particular class of fine, the maximum fine is as given below. For example, the maximum fine for class B is €4,000.

Fine Class A B C D E
Maximum fine €5,000 €4,000 €2,500 €1,000 €500