Rape victim wants minimum prison sentences

Rape victim Fiona Doyle will call for minimum prison sentences for convicted sex offenders during her meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny this evening.

She will also argue that younger judges are needed in the court system, and suggest that the judiciary should be trained in how to deal sensitively with victims of sexual abuse and rape.

Ms Doyle, who was subjected to almost an entire childhood of rape by her father, wants to convey to Mr Kenny that the courts are a hostile environment for victims.

She will recall an occasion on which she had to sit directly behind her father during his trial for 16 counts of rape.

The meeting will come exactly a week after Patrick O’Brien, 72, of Old Court Avenue, Bray, Co Wicklow, was jailed for three years for the rape of his daughter.

Last Thursday, Justice Paul Carney revoked the decision made four days earlier to grant Mr O’Brien bail, saying it was “inappropriate and insensitive” and expressed “profound regret” for the distress caused to Ms Doyle and her family.

During today’s meeting, Ms Doyle will also argue that more support is needed for victims, to explain to them what is happening during a criminal case and prepare them for the sort of sentence that willbe handed down to their attacker.

Ms Doyle hopes to bring her three adult children, sons Paddy and Lewis and daughter Kristel, to the meeting.