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Judges 'need guidelines' for sexual assault sentencing

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said today that giving a man found guilty of sexual assault a fine and a suspended sentence “doesn’t give out a good message”.

THERE SHOULD BE guidelines for judges when it comes to sentencing for sexual assault, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said today.

Its chief executive, Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, said that the DRCC believes that judges need guidelines when sentencing following two recent cases where men received suspended or partly suspended sentences and were ordered to pay the victim compensation.

O’Malley-Dunlop said that “a lot of people are calling the 24-hour helpline very upset” by yesterday’s sentencing of a 29-year-old man for a sexual attack on a 17-year-old girl.

He pleaded guilty and the Irish Times reports that Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four-year sentence which was suspended in full on a number of conditions, including that he pay €15,000 to his victim within one year.

“What we would say is that it certainly doesn’t give out a good message that justice has been delivered,” said O’Malley-Dunlop. She said that the perpetrator will not go on the sex offender list, and:

If he were sentenced to prison, at least he would have rehabilitation available to him, because of rehab programmes available in prison. Prison is not just about punishment, it is also about rehabilitation.

The DRCC chief said that the sentence was “very worrying” and that the teenage victim “really exhibited amazing courage in following through with the criminal justice system”.

O’Malley-Dunlop said that it is important that judges have guidelines on sentencing sexual assault cases, and that the DRCC is calling for these. “It would really be helpful to avoid this sort of [situation],” she concluded.

Sentencing

Meanwhile, a report from Coyne Research says that 69 per cent of the adults surveyed rate the Irish judiciary ‘poorly’ on sentencing. The research was conducted in August.  The highest negative ratings were recording amongst men (74 per cent rating poorly) and those aged 55 + (75 per cent rating poorly).

The Dublin Rape Crisis 24-hour helpline number is 1800 778888.

Read: Dublin Rape Crisis Centre welcomes appeal of Anthony Lyons sentence>

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    Mute Michelle Byrne
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    Nov 19th 2012, 6:31 PM

    Its tough for a family to lose a family member so far from home. God rest him.

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    Mute B Collins
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    Nov 19th 2012, 6:19 PM

    Rest in peace.

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    Mute SkepticallySpeaking
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    Nov 19th 2012, 6:30 PM

    every parent’s worst nightmare, rip

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    Mute Jimmy Myers
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    Nov 19th 2012, 7:30 PM

    Deaths on roads happen in every country,very sad news for family and friends and the young lad on the other side of the world RIP.

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    Mute dave pratt
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    Nov 19th 2012, 8:12 PM
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    Mute Den Ni Chroinin
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    Nov 19th 2012, 8:17 PM

    Shocking story. How much can the dispute have been over, a couple of dollars!!

    RIP

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    Mute mick lennon
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    Nov 19th 2012, 11:08 PM

    Jesus that’s appalling,what a terrible waste of life over a couple of bucks,god rest his soul

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    Mute Máire Lenihan
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    Nov 20th 2012, 3:17 AM

    That’s an awful story. A young man killed in the prime of his life and his poor friend having to witness this. I took a journey with a Sydney cab a couple of weeks ago. The driver was one of the rudest people I’ve ever met and refused to help me even though I was struggling with luggage. This was during the day and I really felt he didn’t deserve my money. I hope this man gets jailed for this.

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    Mute Cathleen O Connor
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    Nov 19th 2012, 11:24 PM

    Thinking of the family at this difficult time

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    Mute Lauren McEnery
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    Nov 20th 2012, 1:33 AM

    Heard it on the radio yesterday here in Perth. Taxi drivers are in the news a couple of times a week over things like this and people attacking them. It’s ridiculous

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    Mute Dave Mc Evoy
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    Nov 20th 2012, 7:54 AM

    May he R.I.P.

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    Mute Jessica
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    Nov 20th 2012, 6:17 AM

    A 26 year old Perth taxi driver has been charged with dangerous driving causing fatal injuries to his passenger.

    A police statement has confirmed that an argument between the driver and Ryan took place regarding the fare.

    The report stated, “As a passenger was exiting the vehicle the driver accelerated the vehicle, causing the passenger to fall to the ground, where he received life-threatening injuries.”

    That’s what happened, it was all over the news over here.

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    Mute Mad Taoiseach
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    Nov 20th 2012, 8:00 AM

    Tragedy. Au be test in peace.
    May the justice system work properly in WA.

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