Concern at 37% drop in number of rape trials

WOMEN’S rights campaigners have expressed concern after it was revealed that there was a 37% drop in the number of rape cases that came before the courts last year.

The Courts Service annual report showed that in addition to the drop in cases coming before a judge, there was also a fall in the number of minor sexual offences dealt with at District Court level, although the figure is still significantly higher than those in the years from 2005 to 2007.

According to the report, while 49 new cases came before the Central Criminal Court last year, 52 cases in total were disposed of; 18 guilty pleas were entered; another 25 went before a jury with three life sentences imposed along with five sentences of 12 years and 13 sentences of between five and 12 years. In 12 cases there was an acquittal.