Former TD Jim Glennon admits writing character reference for man convicted of child sexual exploitation, issues apology and resigns from current roles
Former Fianna Fáil TD Jim Glennon has confirmed he authored a character reference for Daniel Ramamoorthy, who was recently convicted of sexually exploiting a teenage boy he met while volunteering at a Christian children’s camp. Ramamoorthy, a former government advisor, also pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material. Glennon apologized unreservedly, calling his decision to write the reference a 'naive' and 'wrong' error in judgment that may have compounded the victim’s trauma. He announced he will resign from all current professional roles and intends to send a direct apology to the victim’s family through the Courts Service. The Court of Criminal Appeal had previously referenced the character reference without naming Glennon, and in one account, a judge criticized the references for failing to acknowledge the severity of the crime or the victim’s suffering. Glennon served as a TD for Dublin North in the early 2000s.
Both sources report the core facts accurately but differ in emphasis, detail selection, and supplementary content. TheJournal.ie adds more granular detail about the abuse material and judicial commentary, while also framing Glennon through his sports background and including promotional content. Irish Times offers a more formal, restrained account focused on Glennon’s statement and accountability. Neither source appears to contradict verifiable facts, but TheJournal.ie provides slightly more investigative context.
- ✓ Former Fianna Fáil TD Jim Glennon confirmed he wrote a character reference for Daniel Ramamoorthy, who was convicted of sexually exploiting a teenage boy.
- ✓ Ramamoorthy was convicted of sexually exploiting a child he met while volunteering at a Christian children’s camp.
- ✓ Glennon issued a public apology, acknowledging his actions were a 'naive' and 'wrong' error in judgment.
- ✓ Glennon stated he would resign from all current employment, consultancies, and directorships.
- ✓ The Court of Criminal Appeal referred to the character reference during proceedings but initially withheld the identity of the former TD.
- ✓ Glennon served as a TD for Dublin North between the early 2000s and 2007.
- ✓ Ramamoorthy also pleaded guilty to a charge related to possessing child sexual abuse material (referred to as child pornography in law).
Timing and prominence of Glennon’s rugby background
Does not mention Glennon’s rugby career at all.
Highlights Glennon’s past as a rugby player early in the article, framing him through a sports biography lens.
Specific details about the abuse material
Mentions Ramamoorthy pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material but provides no specific details about the content or number of items.
Includes specific details: 'three images and one video depicting young boys engaged in sexual activity with each other and with an unknown adult man.'
Reference to judicial commentary
Does not mention any judge’s specific remarks about the character references.
Cites Mr Justice John Edwards stating that 'not a single one' of the character references mentioned the victim or the 'vile nature' of the crime, adding judicial condemnation.
Editorial content and fundraising appeals
Contains no such editorial or fundraising messaging.
Includes a promotional message urging readers to support the outlet financially, with phrases like 'Readers like you are keeping these stories free' and 'Support The Journal.'
Exact tenure of Glennon’s TD role
States Glennon served from 2002 to 2007.
States Glennon served from 2002 to 2005.
Irish Times
Framing: Irish Times frames the event as a story of personal moral failure and public accountability, focusing on Glennon’s apology and resignation as acts of atonement.
Tone: Formal, reflective, and restrained, with a focus on institutional decorum and personal contrition.
Framing By Emphasis: Irish Times presents the story through the lens of personal accountability and moral failure, emphasizing Glennon’s apology and resignation as central acts of contrition.
"Writing the letter was an error of judgement. I recognise that my actions may have added to the pain and distress..."
Proper Attribution: The source uses direct quotations from Glennon’s statement, maintaining a formal and reflective tone without editorializing.
"I confirm that I am the former TD who submitted a character reference..."
Omission: Irish Times avoids mentioning Glennon’s rugby career or specific forensic details about the abuse material, focusing instead on institutional and personal responsibility.
"resigning from any and all employment, consultancies, and directorships"
Narrative Framing: The article quotes Glennon’s full apology at length, centering the narrative on remorse and consequence.
"I offer my unreserved apology to the victim and to their family."
TheJournal.ie
Framing: TheJournal.ie frames the event as a scandal involving moral failure, public trust, and institutional failure, amplified by emotional details and judicial rebuke.
Tone: Sensationalized and urgent, with an emphasis on shock value and reader engagement, underscored by emotional language and promotional content.
Framing By Emphasis: TheJournal.ie opens by identifying Glennon as a 'former rugby player,' introducing a biographical detail not present in Irish Times, potentially shaping reader perception through non-political identity.
"Glennon, a former rugby player, was a TD for Dublin North from 2002 to 2005."
Appeal To Emotion: The source includes specific, graphic details about the nature of the child sexual abuse material, heightening the emotional impact.
"three images and one video depicting young boys engaged in sexual activity with each other and with an unknown adult man"
Framing By Emphasis: TheJournal.ie cites judicial criticism of the character references, adding a layer of institutional condemnation not present in Irish Times.
"not a 'single one' of those who provided a reference... mentioned the victim or the 'vile nature' of his crime"
Editorializing: The inclusion of a fundraising appeal interrupts the news narrative, potentially influencing perception of the outlet’s neutrality.
"Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone..."
Vague Attribution: TheJournal.ie shortens Glennon’s tenure as TD to 2002–2005, conflicting with Irish Times’s 2002–2007 timeframe, suggesting possible inaccuracy or different sourcing.
"was a TD for Dublin North from 2002 to 2005"
Former Fianna Fáil TD Jim Glennon confirms he gave sex offender a character reference
Former TD Jim Glennon confirms he wrote character reference for man convicted of sexually exploiting teenager
Rugby hero and PR boss reveals himself as ex-TD who gave reference for child sex offender Daniel Ramamoorthy