25% think judge right to let rapist walk free

Being drunk is not a valid excuse for rape, writes Conor Ryan.

A QUARTER of people support the controversial decision of Mr Justice Paul Carney 12 months ago to allow the man convicted of raping Ennis woman Mary Shannon to walk free from court.

Despite 20-year-old bricklayer Adam Keane being found guilty of raping Ms Shannon Mr Justice Carney handed down a suspended sentence. He did so because Keane had been drunk, blacked out and held good character references.