But reform of sentencing needed
IN LIGHT of the recent jailing of sex offenders in both Limerick and Dublin, support groups and TD’s have said that this sends out messages that both, reform of sentencing and that it is never too late for victims to come forward.
Speaking after the jailing of 82-year-old Jack Dunne for the long term abuse of four boys by the former garda, Annette Strachan, a victim court liaison with Rape Crisis Mid West, said it is never too late for abuse victims to come forward.
“I would say to come forward. The more people who come forward and tell the truth and tell what happened, the more important it is for others. There are so many people that don’t come forward and people like these victims make it easier for other people to come forward so do contact you local rape crisis centre or whoever you think can help you,” said Annette, who added that historic abuse need not deter victims from coming forward. She also added that the age of an abuser should not be a preventative factor in them being imprisoned if found guilty.
This was further highlighted when Dublin woman and rape victim Fiona Doyle came forward about the systematic abuse by her farther during her childhood.
Fianna Fáil Justice Spokesperson Niall Collins said that he welcomed Judge Paul Carney’s decision to revoke bail in the case of convicted rapist Patrick O’Brien.
He said that this “intervention was necessary” and that it “highlights the need for reform in the area of criminal sentencing. Judge Carney’s intervention shows the pressure on individual members of the judiciary and the need to support Judges with guidelines on sentencing. It is clear that we need greater consistency in this area and that we need to enhance public confidence in our criminal justice system.”
The Limerick TD said that his party has prepared details of a proposal for a “Sentencing Council similar to the model in the UK where the Council would issue guidelines on sentencing while maintaining the independence of the judiciary, and would provide clarity on judicial decisions. Such a system would bring greater transparency to our criminal justice system and help people understand why judges make the decisions they do”, concluded the justice spokesperson.
