Taoiseach urges victims to report sex crimes

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has urged rape victims not to lose the courage to come forward after the controversy engulfing the Fiona Doyle case.

The rape trial, which saw Ms Doyle’s father, Patrick O’Brien, having nine years of his 12-year sentence suspended and released on bail pending an appeal, dominated leader’s questions — even though the Ceann Comhairle ruled TDs could not comment.

The treatment of O’Brien, who pleaded guilty to raping his daughter over a 10-year period, provoked opposition demands for wide-ranging reform of the Court of Criminal Appeal and a new mandatory sentencing regime for rape.

Mr Kenny paid tribute to the bravery of Ms Doyle during her long legal battle.

“This case, which involves the defilement of a child and the continuous rape of that child over a 10-year period, has filled the nation with revulsion.

“I would like to believe that others who are or have been subjected to rape, incest or crimes of this horrific nature will not lose the courage to come forward and say their piece.

“The courage of Fiona Doyle, who went through horrific and barbaric treatment as a young girl, speaks for itself.

“Few people can speak in the way she has been able to speak and the case has filled people with a sense of revulsion. Unfortunately, however, it is not the only such case that has come to light over the years,” he said.

The Taoiseach acknowledged “inadequacies” in the legal system and said Justice Minister Alan Shatter was preparing a raft of reforms.

Mr Kenny said the Government would “reflect” on the issue of mandatory sentencing, adding: “There are inadequacies in some respects in our courts system as it currently applies in terms of consistency, membership, and the capacity to respond quickly.”

Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher took issue with the Ceann Comhairle’s ban on discussing the sentencing involved in the rape case.

“Somewhere in the country today, there may well be a victim of rape, incest, or abuse who is contemplating facing a tormentor in seeking justice and retribution. However, recent decisions by the Central Criminal Court send out a very disturbing message,” he said.

Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams, who referred to his father being an abuser, warned that cuts to services like the Rape Crisis Centre and counselling groups, were badly affecting victims.

Mr Kenny said dealing with rape, incest, and domestic violence was “not just a matter of money”.

Other TDs also tried to raise the matter of the O’Brien sentencing, but the Ceann Comhairle insis-ted the Dáil could not comment on court rulings.