Taoiseach willing to meet Doyle

The Taoiseach has said he is willing meet rape victim Fiona Doyle.

"“I note there has been a request in the media at least that I should meet Ms Doyle, the courageous victim involved, in this regard," Enda Kenny told the Dáil.

Mr Kenny said he would hear her view as a victim of unspeakable horror and her perspective on how a victim would see the court system working.

Mr Kenny told the Dáil today that he would not be able to comment on the judge in question or the sentence issued.

"But I am very happy to meet with Ms Doyle at a convenient time," he added.

Mr Kenny has received no formal request from Ms Doyle to meet with him and no meeting has been arranged, a spokeswoman for the Taoiseach said.

Yesterday Mr Kenny told the Dáil the Fiona Doyle rape case, involving the defilement and continuous rape of a child over 10 years, had filled the nation with revulsion.

Replying to Opposition questions on the 12-year sentence, with nine years suspended, imposed on Ms Doyle’s father Patrick O’Brien, the Taoiseach said he admired her courageous decision to go public.

Mr Kenny said yesterday that mandatory sentencing was an issue for the Government to reflect on.

“I would like to believe that others who are or have been subjected to rape, incest or crimes of this horrific nature will not lose the courage to come forward and say their piece,” Mr Kenny said yesterday. He said the case had been referred to the Court of Criminal Appeal as a priority.