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Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

Fiona Doyle rallies to go ahead in honour of 'every victim' of sexual abuse

A “vindicated” Fiona Doyle will appear on RTE’s Late Late show this evening to speak about her case.

TWO RALLIES SCHEDULED  for this weekend to show support for rape victim Fiona Doyle are to go ahead this weekend, after her father and rapist Patrick O’Brien was jailed yesterday for abusing her over a ten year period.

Patrick O’Brien, 72, was sentenced to 12 years in jail with nine suspended after pleading guilty to raping and indecently assaulting his daughter during her childhood.

In a move that provoked outrage across the country, Justice Paul Carney on Monday granted O’Brien on bail – meaning he walked out of court following his guilty plea and conviction.

Doyle waived her right to anonymity to speak out about the case, and on Thursday told reporters she felt  ”vindicated” after her father was summoned back to court where his bail was revoked. Justice Paul Carney told the court he accepted the procedure he adopted in sentencing O’Brien was “inappropriate”.

Speaking on Newstalk’s Breakfast programme this morning, Doyle’s daughter Kristal O’Brien said the rallies organised in the wake of the initial sentencing would go ahead in honour of sexual abuse victims everywhere.

“It’s not just about my mum – this is about everyone, everywhere,”said O’Brien. “Justice yesterday was for my mum, and we have the whole public to thank for that, tomorrow is justice for everyone. This is to change the laws so that this never happens to another woman again,” said O’Brien, who noted that men are also the victims of sexual abuse and must be represented too.

O’Brien said that the Taoiseach Enda Kenny had agreed to meet with her mother next week to discuss the case.

“I’m absolutely delighted that he is going to do this, he seems to be a man of his word,” O’Brien said. “I think he’ll get a better understanding of what life is like for an abuse victim, and then maybe he’ll be able to stand up and say what is justifiable for a minimum sentencing for an abuser.”

Fiona Doyle will appear on RTÉ’s Late Late Show this evening to talk about her experiences and the case.

Read: Shatter “understands people were disturbed” by details in rape case
Read: Two protests to be held in support of rape victim Fiona Doyle

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    Mute Clare Power
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    Mon 8:22 PM

    Well done, fantastic achievement.

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    Mute Buster Lawless
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    Mon 8:33 PM

    @Clare Power: hey brenny….. things must be bad in the trolling game if you’re reduced to ” cloning” accounts like you did with that kevvy kerr account – it’s despicable

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    Mute Luas Vuitton - Penneys Drag Queen
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    Mon 9:09 PM

    Well done. In fairness.

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    Mute john logan
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    Mon 10:51 PM

    Well done Anne!
    What an honour.

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    Mute Alan OConnor
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    Mon 10:03 PM

    Our finest living writer. Well done.

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    Mute Mary Linton
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    Mon 8:01 PM

    A well deserved prize for Anne Enright. A personal favourite of mine is ‘ the forgotten waltz’ which i had the pleasure of reading on the beach on holidays…a beautiful, though reflective, work of art.

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    Mute Nick Vasilakis
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    Tue 9:05 AM

    @Mary Linton: “…a beautiful, though reflective, work of art.” Whatever do you mean? How do beauty and thoughtfulness oppose each other?

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    Mute Buster Lawless
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    Mon 8:08 PM

    Well deserved, she writes the best books. So happy to see her finally recognised.

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    Mute Mary Linton
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    Mon 8:10 PM

    @Buster Lawless: ? Her novel, ‘ the gathering ‘ won ( deservedly so) the Man Booker prize 2007

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    Mute Dermot Blaine
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    Mon 8:52 PM

    @Buster Lawless: finally recognised? Easy knowing you’re spoofing. Again.

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    Mute SerotoninWars
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    Mon 11:17 PM

    @Dermot Blaine: Literature in BL’s house = The Art of the Deal (unread) and some take away menus!

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    Mute Ann Nugent
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    Mon 10:01 PM

    Great win.

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    Mute Mayo seem to be the football equivalent of Waterford hurlers
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    Tue 2:37 AM

    Good on you. Well done

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