A DECISION by the Court of Criminal Appeal to overturn a life sentence imposed on a paedophile for the rape of two boys means the justice system fails to offer society reasonable protection against sex offenders, according to a body representing rape crisis centres.
The Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) called for “meaningful risk assessment to be an integral part of considerations of sex offender sentencing”.
RCNI director Fiona Neary said: “Society has the right to be protected from sex offenders who pose a real risk of reoffending upon release.
“It is not right that sex offenders should re-enter society regardless of their known risk and without having demonstrated any reduction in likelihood to rape again. We would ask that our judges be permitted to give life sentences where reliable risk assessment forms the basis of those sex offenders being freed back into society.”
Ms Neary suggested a serial rapist could be given a life sentence with a review date set after an “appropriate minimum” time.
