Victims’ groups welcome life sentences for child rapist

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) has said the two life sentences yesterday handed down to a man for five counts of rape against two children reflects the depravity of the crime committed.

ISPCC director of services Caroline O’Sullivan said the organisation welcomed the term. “This . . . sends a very clear message that this crime is unacceptable and will be punished,” she said.

She added that there was a need to introduce sentencing guidelines for such cases.

“While we welcome this particular sentence, the ISPCC recommends that sentencing guidelines are put in place as soon as possible so that we as a society are not relying on a particular judge’s discretion when delivering sentences – but rather there is a clear pathway . . . determining an appropriate sentence.

“When it comes to the protection and safeguarding of children from abuse, the child must be . . . the primary consideration at all times. This also applies to the treatment, handling and sentencing of the perpetrators of abuse, to ensure the safety of all children is considered, and the message of complete intolerance . . . is reinforced.”

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre chief executive Ellen O’Malley Dunlop said the sentence represented a “very powerful societal message”.