Rape victims in Galway must travel 300 miles to be examined

RAPISTS in Galway have a greater chance of getting away with the crime because victims have to travel 300 miles to be forensically examined, it was claimed yesterday.

Because there has not been any State Doctor in office in Galway for almost three months, all rape victims in the west have to travel just hours after their ordeal on a 300 mile round trip to the Sexual Assault Unit at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin.

Those who help rape victims yesterday criticised the lack of a State Doctor in Galway.

“It’s terrible when someone who has experienced an ordeal like this has to travel a long distance in distress,” Dublin Rape Crisis Centre spokesperson Breda Allen said.

“A major city like Galway should have its own Sexual Assault unit.”

Dr Tony Lundon had carried out the role of state doctor in Galway for 25 years until his retirement in May, but he has not been replaced since.

In order to bring a criminal case against an alleged rapist, the forensic medical examination of the victim must be carried out as soon as possible after the attack, but now the west’s rape victims have to endure the 300-mile round trip to Dublin.

Locals feel this may deter people from reporting sexual assaults and rapes.

Dr Lundon said the failure of the Department of Justice to replace him was disgraceful because of the trauma it placed on the rape victims. He has called on the Government to ensure that a successor is appointed as soon as possible.

The Department of Justice said last night it was actively seeking a replacement for Dr Lundon.

“There are been a shortage of doctors coming forward to carry out this work and until that happens we can’t provide replacements,” a Department spokesperson said.