Taxi driver convicted of raping female passengers

A Dublin man has been convicted of raping two young women in the back seat of his taxi two years ago.

Raymond Shorten (50), of Melrose Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court on Friday of two counts of rape and one count of anal rape.

After deliberating for a total of 76 minutes, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts. It began its deliberations on Thursday afternoon.

Shorten had pleaded not guilty to the rape and anal rape of a 19-year-old woman on June 9, 2022, and the rape of another woman, then 20, on August 9, 2022.

The prosecution argued that the two young women ended up in a taxi after a sociable night in Dublin city centre and were raped by the driver, Shorten.

He denied the allegations and said the sexual interactions between him and each woman were consensual.

Judge Paul McDermott thanked the jury for their care and attention during the six days of trial. He excused them from jury duty for five years.

He ordered the preparation of a victim impact statement and ordered that Shorten remain in custody until July 1.