NWCI calls on Minister for Justice to immediately review sentencing in rape cases

Published: Tuesday, January 22, 2013

The National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) shares the outrage expressed by many individuals and groups of the sentencing of Mr Patrick O Brien by Mr Justice Carney.

Orla O'Connor, Director of the NWCI said:

'We commend Fiona Doyle on her courage in coming forward, waving her right to anonymity and overcoming many obstacles in bringing her father who raped her for over 9 years to justice. Our member organisations have been inundated with calls from women who have been victims of sexual crimes who are absolutely devastated by the judgement. This case sends out a message that perpetrators of sexual crimes against women and girls can act with impunity and this is both damaging and dangerous. '

She continued,

'The NWCI calls on the Minister for Justice to immediately review sentencing in rape cases so that women in Ireland will be encouraged to report sexual crimes and to stay within the judicial system. The NWCI echoes calls of its member organisations in calling for a permanent constituted Court of Criminal Appeal to help with consistency of judgements as well as sentencing guidelines. '

For more information, please contact Silke Paasche, Communications Officer, NWCI, Tel. 085 858 9104