The Minister for Justice has said he views with "grave concern" the increase in the number of rapes over the last 12 months. At a graduation ceremony at the Garda Training College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, Mr O'Donoghue said that while the general crime rate was falling, "the incidence of the appalling crime of rape continues to rise".
In the 12 months to the end of March, 325 rapes were reported to the Garda, up from 299 in the 12 months to March 1998, according to figures released by the Department of Justice.
Mr O'Donoghue intends to publish legislation during the summer "which will give added protection to victims of rape who have to face the further ordeal of court when the attacker is brought to justice".
A spokesman for the Department said this was likely to include the granting of separate legal representation to rape victims whose previous sexual history was at issue in the course of a rape trial.
Studies are under way to find out more about the increase in the incidence of rape, commissioned respectively by the Department and the Garda Siochana. The Garda study is being carried out by the research unit of the force's training college. Among other matters, it is looking at possible patterns in the times, places, and circumstances in which rapes occur, with a view to increasing detection rates.
The Departmental study is being conducted by the psychology department in University College Cork and will look at broader policy issues, including the experience of victims in court and the nature of cases that are coming before the court.
In all, 160 new gardai were presented with certificates by the Minister yesterday. Just over a fifth of the new gardai are women.
Addressing the new Garda recruits, the Commissioner, Mr Patrick Byrne, urged them to exercise their duties in "a humane, courteous manner" and to "strive to cultivate the friendship of young people" over whom they could have "a significant influence". He said the priority of gardai should be "to prevent crime, not to punish".
The Commissioner's Medal, which is presented to the student who achieves the highest aggregate mark in academic subjects, was awarded to Garda Colm Kelly, from Drimnagh in Dublin.
The best all-round student prize went to Garda Micheala Moloney from Kilmallock, Co Limerick. The prize is named after recruit Garda Gary Sheehan, who was killed on duty in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, in December 1983.
The Templemore Urban District Council medal for outstanding achievement and appreciation in the area of social science studies was presented to Garda Frances Lynch, from Spiddal, Co Galway.
The Minister said he was determined to put the resources necessary into anti-crime strategies.
While much had already been achieved, the Garda force could be assured of the support of the Government in the fight against crime.