Press Release: The DRCC welcomes Justice Paul Carney’s Sentence in Athlone Case

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) welcomes Justice Paul Carney’s sentence today of two concurrent life sentences for the convicted rapist, involving two children in Athlone last year.

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop CEO of DRCC said: There are very powerful societal messages from these horrendous crimes:

The first one is that these two little girls were so brave and they immediately told their parents what had happened to them and they were believed. For far too long we have been hearing the terrible stories from adults who had experienced similar heinous crimes that had been committed against them in the past, but were either too afraid to tell at the time, or told and were not believed. This does not make it any easier for these children or their parents but it does mean that they will get the support they need to heal, now.

Secondly Justice Carney’s sentence reflects the seriousness and the awfulness of the crimes and it is appropriate that there were no mitigating circumstances taken into consideration in his sentence.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, Chief Executive, DRCC                        01 6614911 / 086 809 9618