In recent months, we’ve seen a number of horrific
sexual and violent assaults reported in the media, which has led to the
perpetrator receiving exceptionally lenient sentences.
Sexual assault or rape is one of the most
serious crimes perpetrated against any individual. Yet, from the sentences you
see being distributed to violent men by judges in Ireland, you’d think it was on par with something
trivial like not buying a dog licence.
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| Anthony Lyons who was convicted of sexual assault and will be released in December after only six months in prison |
That
same week, Glen Humphrey was convicted of brutally beating three woman in a
fish and chip shop in Finglas, knocking one woman to the floor and stamping on
her body. His penalty, a three year suspended sentence and a €12,000 fine.
In
June, a 34 year old man, Piotr Rownicki, was convicted of seven counts of
sexual assault. He received a three year prison sentence with almost half
of it (16 months) being suspended.
Two weeks ago, Eamon
Harkin was sentenced for beating up then-girlfriend Danielle Kerrigan for
more than 90 minutes on St Valentine’s Night. He only stopped his attack to get
a drink of water and he beat her so badly he left the print of his shoe on her
body. His sentence, he had his two-year prison term substituted to 240 hours’
community service.
Just in case you think lenient sentences from
the Irish judiciary are a new phenomena, lets go back a few years.
In
2007, Adam Keane was convicted of raping Mary Shannon, a deaf, 33 year old
mother of three, as she slept in her bed, with her children in the next room.
During the trial, her life was pulled apart and “torn asunder” while Mr. Keane
didn’t have to even take the stand.
Mr. Keane was originally given a
non-custodial three year suspended sentence, but hours after receiving the
sentence, on a train home from court, Mr. Keane flicked a cigarette at Ms
Shannon and he was then brought into custody to serve prison time.
Following the original three year suspended
sentence, Ms Shannon waived her right to anonymity in order to raise awareness
of the horrible crime of which she was victim. This brave act raised awareness
in the public arena of the lenient sentence and the Director of Public Prosecutions
(DPP) then appealed the judges decision and the sentence was increase to ten
years.
Most will agree, Ms Shannon was entitled to
justice without having to waive her right to anonymity. And, not only was she
entitled to justice, but the public are entitled to be kept safe from violent
and vicious criminals like these.
What kind of a message does it send to
society when violent men can beat or rape women with relative impunity? A
situation whereby a rapist has the prospect of not spending even a day in
prison as a consequence for their actions?
Where is the deterrent to men who consider
such heinous behaviour, when they see lenient sentences like these? And what
does it say to those who have the bravery to come forward after their lives have
been turned upside down following such a traumatic experience, only to see the
man who raped them walk free?
The purpose of the judicial system should
be to punish people for doing wrong and also to protect the innocent public
from dangerous individuals. On both of these counts, the judicial system fails
women and society badly.
But what can I do to play my part in
creating a safer environment for women in Ireland and elsewhere?
Firstly, I will be taking the simple pledge
set up by Australia’s White Ribbon Campaign, which goes like this. I swear never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women this is my oath.You can take this pledge here.
Secondly, I will write to my local
politicians and to the Justice Minister in Ireland, Alan Shatter. I’m not an
expert in this field, so I will demand that the Irish government sits down with
the real experts, the Rape Crisis Network & the National Women’s Council,
to discuss the exceptionally lenient sentences given to violent men and to
listen to the demands of representatives of women who have been victims of
violent crime.
These groups are the experts in violence
against women and their recommendations for prevention and penalties for offenders
should be listened to and implemented as soon as possible.
If we are to consider ourselves a civilized
society, we must take violence against women much more seriously, at a societal
level and at a political level, but that won’t happen on its own. We, the men
and women of Ireland, must demand action now. I urge you to copy take the
pledge, raise awareness by sharing the pledge on your facebook or twitter
profile, and write to your politicians today.
Here’s my letter to the Minister (alan.shatter@oireachtas.ie) – feel
free to copy it. You can find your politicians at this link. http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/Members_emails/document1.htm
Dear Minister Shatter,
In recent months, and during the past
number of years, many Irish women have been subjected to heinous, violent and
sexual assaults which have resulted in exceptionally lenient sentences for the
perpetrators. I am not satisfied, as a citizen of this country, that the
seriousness of violence against women is appreciated by the judiciary or by the
political establishment.
I am demanding that you meet with the
National Women’s Council of Ireland, the Rape Crisis Network and any other
relevant women’s representative groups to discuss the lenient sentences and
hear their recommendations for the prevention of, and the penalties for,
violent assaults against women.
I trust that this is a matter of urgency
for you and that you will take action on this issue without delay.
Yours sincerely,
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