Since the family refused to "trust" the RUC, the victim of this awful incident waited until after the Peace Treaty had some validity, (within their community), before reporting this heanous crime. Also, note that Gerry Adams knew of this crime, and did nothing to assuage the victims hurt.
Hie sentace will be either soft because he is a minor celebrity and it was so lonbg ago or hard because he is a minor celebrity and they want to send a message to the generaql populace.