Irish Criminal Law King's Inns Entrance Practice Exam

The correct answer focuses on the specific provisions set forth in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 regarding age considerations for sexual activity with a minor. The law clearly states that it is not an offence for a person who is not more than 24 months older than a child under 17 to engage in such activities. This provision is designed to provide a legal framework that acknowledges the nuanced nature of relationships close in age while still protecting minors from exploitation and abuse.

The rationale behind this is to recognize that relationships between young individuals close in age can be developmentally normal and might not always suggest predatory behavior, as long as they fall within this defined time frame. Therefore, a person who is 18 or 19 can engage with someone who is 16 or 17 without it constituting a legal offense, assuming there is no coercion or abuse involved.

Other choices do not align with the specific legal guidance provided by the Act. Parental consent, being over a certain age, or marital status do not negate the protections put in place for minors within the context of this law, as they do not correspond to the exceptions recognized for individuals close in age.