Statement on life sentence for man convicted of persistently raping & abusing wife over 25 years

17 July 2024

CCJ photo by D Speirs 2020

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre welcomes the sentence of life imprisonment handed down to a man who subjected his wife to ‘25 years of hell’ during which time he ‘habitually’ raped and assaulted her.

Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Rachel Morrogh, said: “Dublin Rape Crisis Centre strongly welcomes the life sentence handed down by Ms Justice Melanie Greally today (Tuesday, 16 July, 2024).

“We also greatly appreciate Ms Justice Greally’s comments that having considered mitigation, she was ‘satisfied that the prolonged and brutal nature of the offending was so extreme and exceptional that the mitigation is not sufficient to merit any reduction of sentence’. This is a profoundly important message for victims to hear.  It illustrates that the court truly understood the enormity of the devastating and dark abuse that she suffered within her marriage.

“The woman in this case suffered relentless sexual violence over decades and we must acknowledge her bravery in coming forward and seeking justice.  In her victim impact statement, she relayed the very significant traumatic and long-lasting harm that this man inflicted by using a marriage that was once based on trust and love to carry out his acts devoid of any humanity.

“The case underscores that rape is a crime that is being committed within marriages and that it is possible to get a conviction. As many as 7 in 10 victims of sexual violence know the perpetrator and we hear from our clients how much more complex and difficult this makes it to report. We hope that news of today’s sentence reaches people who are either going through the justice system at present or who may still be suffering ongoing sexual abuse within a relationship, and that it offers some encouragement in what can be a very dark place.

“The National Rape Crisis Helpline 1800 77 88 88 is open 24 hours. We encourage anyone who is facing a similar situation as the victim in this case, or who perhaps is concerned about a family member or friend, to call our experienced telephone counsellors. The service is fully confidential and is absolutely free from any phone in Ireland.”

Confidential freephone 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline 1800 778888

/ENDS

Notes for editors:  

  1. Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is a non-governmental, voluntary organisation which has as its mission to prevent the harm and heal the trauma of rape. It offers a suite of services to victims/survivors of sexual violence. It also offers a wide range of training and education to professionals and volunteers.  
  2. Other DRCC services and work: 
    • DRCC operates the National 24-hour Helpline 1800 778888 to support anyone affected by sexual violence in any part of the country. A webchat support service is available online at drcc.ie Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm. A Helpline Interpreting Service is available for those who do not speak English - more at https://bit.ly/DRCClang
    • For those contacting the Helpline who are deaf or hard of hearing, we provide a text service, operating Mon-Fri from 8am to 6:30pm, at 086-8238443 and we also have a webchat service available Monday-Friday, 10am to 5pm, except holidays.
    • Information on your options after sexual violence is available for free online at any time at drcc.ie/fyw in the Finding Your Way after Sexual Violence guide.
    • DRCC offers counselling & therapy to adult survivors of sexual violence and to older adolescents from 16 years of age with parental/guardian consent.
    • DRCC provides accompaniment support for the Rotunda Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, to court or to Garda stations to people in Dublin and in surrounding areas, by arrangement.   
    • We-Consent is a new long-term national programme to inform, educate and engage with all members of our society about consent. More information and resources on having consent conversations at https://www.we-consent.ie/
    • DRCC has outreach offices at Coolock, Dóchas Women’s Centre, Balbriggan & Tallaght. Access to these services must be arranged via the National Helpline 1800 778888 during working hours, Mon-Fri.   
  3. We ask that when reporting on this topic, journalists should remember that discussions on sexual violence can trigger personal trauma in those receiving the information. Where possible, please make reference to the National 24-hour Helpline 1800 77 88 88  for anyone who may be affected by the discussion.