Light sentencing in Ireland re crime

[LadyEloise1]

Anyone else sick of the light sentences given in Ireland for crime.
I've just seen that a man who raped and sexually abused his youngest sister starting when she was 6 and he was 12 was given 7 and a half year sentence for the rapes. He was given consecutive sentences totalling 5 years for the sexual assaults but the judge decided that sentence would run concurrently with the 7 year term. FFS !!!
Apparently his remorse (yeah right ), the fact he pleaded guilty and he had no previous convictions were mitigating factors. The judge suspended the final 18 months of the sentence, despite the judge saying that the victim was a vulnerable and defenceless child, the offences were humiliating and degrading, that the victim had a right to bodily integrity and that she lived in fear.
Will this child rapist be out in 3 years ?
I am utterly disgusted with this sentence.

Yes, I completely agree @Believerinbiology it is just so glaringly obvious I can't understand how he gets away with it!

I also agree about the prison situation, unfortunately we need more space to accommodate criminals. The whole system is deeply flawed.

https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2025/0305/1500433-suspended-sentence/

Knew who the judge was by the headline alone.

Link not opening for me but it's got to me Nolan.

Strange...have tried to copy link again but it's the same...this one seems to work
https://www.thejournal.ie/judge-martin-nolan-sentencing-6640616-Mar2025/
Martin is laying the blame for his sentencing on higher courts.

So a man pleads guilty to having almost 3000 images of children being sexually abused and Judge Nolan gives him a suspended 2 year sentence.

🥲🥲🥲

In the early days of the internet, the courts treated this offence seriously. I think that men viewing child abuse material has unfortunately become so widespread that lawmakers and the courts have become jaded and, for some ridiculous reason, no longer view these crimes as seriously as they used to - I’m never done reading about suspended sentences and community orders etc rather than custodial sentences for men who commit this crime.

Having said that, Nolan has always been a law unto himself when it comes to sentencing male criminals.

I just saw that a guy with no insurance, driving at 120 km per hour in a 60 km per hour zone struck and killed a man and got 4 years and 3 months prison term. He’ll he out in 2 probably.
He didn’t stop and offer assistance either.
The bereaved mother has said that the sentencing for dangerous driving causing death needs to be overhauled and the penalty an increase in prison time.
I 💯agree.
That poor young man killed and all those who loved him left grieving.

@LadyEloise1 I totally agree with her!

It might deter idiots like those 2 gobshites in Westmeath that crashed at the weekend from dangerous driving if there was longer sentencing!

The sentencing in this country is a joke!

Thankfully it was Judge Paul Burns presiding over the case where 3 men were charged with and found guilty of the rape of a young woman.
The judge gave them sentences of 14 plus years.

Whats the deal with the man given a 17 year sentence for rape and abuse of his ex partners kids and she is complaining the term is not enough? 17 years for anything in Ireland is a huge sentence but she thinks he should have gotten more time when murderers get less?

A man punches his 8-year-old daughter - he doesn't slap her, he hits her so hard in the chest he left bruises - TWICE. He got probation, so has no criminal record, and had to pay E5,000 compensation and do an anger management course.

He [Judge John Highes] noted that the accused financially contributed to his children, and “a conviction for this could have a significant effect not only on his employment but an indirect effect in respect of the victim of this assault and her siblings”.
He described it as a difficult case and added that he had factored in the unique circumstances – the family dynamic was still intact, and there were no adverse relationship consequences.

'The family dynamic is still intact'?? Meaning he still has access to the traumatised little girl - reading between the lines the parents seem to be separated.

In other words this little girl is left in the company of a man who seriously assaulted her, on the basis that 'the family dynamic is still intact', whatever that means, and he pays child support, so if he were to be punished for the assault, the rest of the family would suffer financially...

What message does that give to the little girl about her value as a human being?
Father who ‘blew his top’ and punched daughter (8) avoids jail – The Irish Times

A paediatric nurse “…..pleaded guilty to “depraved” child abuse offences….” according to the Irish Independent.
According to the prosecution the offence of knowingly producing or facilitating child pornography carries a maximum sentence of up to 14 years.
The probation service found the he was at medium risk of reoffending.
Judge O’ Callaghan sentenced him to 2 years and 6 months on the most serious count of producing child abuse material but suspended the final year.
On the remaining two counts Of possession and distribution he was sentenced to 1 year each. But these too were suspended.
So he got a year and a half for depraved child sex abuse offences.
Knowing our prison system he’ll do half of that .
I despair 🥲

Another one - a 48 year old Garda was given a 3 month suspended sentence for assaulting his wife with their children in the room.
The maximum sentence is 6 months. ☹️
The female judge said that a custodial sentence was not required because Trevor Bolger “…stands in the public arena recognising his wrongdoing.”
Will there be an appeal ?

That sort of sentencing gives a green light to others that they'll get off so no punishment.

No point in appealing, appeal process would take longer than the sentence.

He said sorry and he won’t do it again, well he won’t get caught again. He will do it again to another woman he knows he will get away with it.

The sentence duration is one aspect, and a critical one. I no longer practise in Ireland (moved to the UK 2 years ago), but I'd also have another serious complaint about the system there from the victims perspective, that is the length//duration of the legal process. Even if victims are "lucky" enough to have their case accepted, then the time to court is much too long. This has a HUGE impact on victim lives.

Read (or listen) to the recent Bláthnaid Raleigh book. From a female perspective, it shows the "best case" scenario.

For any of you with boys/young men, then I'd also encourage you to ask them to read the book for educational purposes. Our two boys (20 and 23) have read the book over the holidays, and I they say resonated with them in a way that talks from Mom and Dad never ever did! They will learn something from it.

Thank you @bythebanksofand @DublinFemale
The injustices to women are heartbreaking.
When will our judiciary fit the sentence to the crime ?
When was it decided to be a “light sentencing” jurisdiction ?
It hasn’t helped society.
I really do despair.
I emailed one prominent, competent, senior female politician in government, re light sentences.
She agreed they were problematic but said there was a separation between government and the judiciary.
Yeah right !
Certainly in the recent past many judicial appointments were political.

I'm baffled trying to figure out which of our female politicians is competent. Helen McEntee has got to be one of the worst politicians whether male or female, Mary Butler is beyond useless.

The only one showing potential is Jennifer Carroll MacNeill but it's early days yet.

I am tired of hearing the BS of the separation.

The government draft the legislation pertaining to the sentencing for crimes.

Bring in minimum custodial sentences. There is no leeway for murder. It can be done.

No point in raising the sentencing when suspended sentences are still on the table.

The DPP v Loving is a precedent case that Judge Martin Nolan has been known to verify if it is still the precedent for child abuse cases when he is considering sentencing.

https://ie.vlex.com/vid/dpp-v-loving-793272513

@honeyrider

You forgot Norma Foley another disaster during her tenure in education.

She came across in interviews as clueless regarding the education curriculum she was in charge and I assume signing off.

She's now making a mess of childcare so much so most registered childminders will quit next year.

yeap, Tusla already had a shocking reputation for a state organisation only 12yrs old this year, between political corruption,

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2024/07/08/senior-tusla-manager-struck-off-over-handling-of-false-allegation-against-Maurice

They can say whatever denials they want, it stinks of political interference.

Let’s not forget ‘misuse’ of funds
You are I did this in our jobs we would be in jail
Behind a paywall but I cannot remember if he went to jail.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/how-boss-of-tusla-funded-firm-presided-over-misuse-of-700000/a634122584.html

In Irish govt and political circles it's always been a case of, "One rule for me and a different one for thee". Plebs have to follow the law but it can be optional for the public sector 🙄