character of the parents of a man accused of raping two teenage sisters. The man was convicted and sentenced for 13 years. In a statement she said: "Having heard an interview with one of the victims in the case, who was clearly distressed by my letter and having considered the matter and discussed it with colleagues I now accept that it was inappropriate for a TD to have become involved in any way in a case of such seriousness. If my action has in any way added to the ordeal of the two victims in this case, then I deeply regret that and offer them my apologies." In June 2011, Kathleen Lynch caused controversy when she appointed her husband, Bernard, to the role as a personal assistant, which is a taxpayer-funded role. Personal life She is married to Bernard Lynch and they have three daughters and one son. Bernard Lynch was a member of Official Sinn Féin. She is a sister-in-law to Ciarán Lynch who was a Labour Party TD for Cork South-Central from 2007 to 2016 and of Cork City Council Councilor Catherine Clancy, who originally had been co-opted to replace her on the council. References 1953 births Living people Democratic Left (Ireland) TDs Labour Party (Ireland) TDs Local councillors in Cork (city) Members of the 27th Dáil Members of the 29th Dáil Members of the 30th Dáil Members of the 31st Dáil 20th-century women Teachtaí Dála 21st-century women Teachtaí Dála Ministers of State of the 31st Dáil Politicians from County Cork Workers' Party (Ireland) politicians Women ministers of state of the Republic of Ireland