Editorial: Rape-cabbage driver Raymond Shorten’s long jail sentence helps restore public faith in the legal system

That Shorten will now spend a significant portion of the rest of his life behind bars is entirely thanks to Judge Paul McDermott, who ruled that the 50-year-old father of seven should serve his sentences consecutively rather than concurrently. Both sentences will only begin after he has served the 13-year sentence imposed by another court earlier last week for twice raping a seven-year-old girl over a decade ago, just days after her mother’s death.

The Dubliner now faces a total sentence of over 30 years – a clear indication that the courts believe he continues to pose a danger to women.

At a time when sentences are increasingly criticized for being too lenient and judges regularly make headlines for the wrong reasons, this ruling helps restore the public’s shattered faith in the justice system. Voters have repeatedly called on politicians to adopt a zero-tolerance stance towards sexual violence.

The shock of these crimes has in turn led to a wider discussion about what needs to happen next to protect women. There are already talks of installing CCTV in taxis and increased police surveillance of drivers and other trusted people.

It is high time that a bill was brought before the Oireachtas allowing judges to impose lifetime tariffs

Ireland may be a relatively safe country by international standards, but more can always be done. The necessary resources should be made available without delay.

However, every society must first ensure that those convicted of the most serious crimes face the full force of the law. In Ireland, however, this is not always the case.

One of the reasons rape remains “largely unreported”, as Garda Commissioner Drew Harris put it this week when urging other potential victims to come forward, is that women who bravely come forward often feel that the punishment their attackers receive is inadequate given the seriousness of the crime and the psychological distress that coming forward places on them.

Shorten’s conviction is an important step to reassure them that this will no longer be the case. But taking into account the time he has already served in custody, if he is granted a pardon, he will probably still be free one day.

Sentencing Jozef Puska last November for the murder of 23-year-old primary school teacher Ashling Murphy in Tullamore, Judge Tony Hunt said the crime was “so serious” that “a life sentence would have been considered” if judges in the UK had had the power to impose a life fine.

Some prisoners can never be safely released into society, and other crimes are so horrific that the perpetrators forfeit any right to ever hope for release.

It is high time that a Bill was introduced into the Oireachtas giving judges the power to impose life fines on such offenders.

If Raymond Shorten had had that opportunity, there would be few people in the country who would have considered this too harsh a punishment.