A decision by the Court of Criminal Appeal to overturn a life sentence imposed on a paedophile for the rape of two young boys means the State's justice system fails to offer society reasonable protection from sex offenders, according to a body representing rape crisis centres.
The appeal court today ruled that a life sentence handed down to Philip Sullivan (45), originally from Kildare town with an address at Botanic Road, Glasnevin in Dublin by the Central Criminal Court last year be replaced by one of 15 years with the final two suspended.
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.
"For example, a serial rapist could be given a life sentence, with a review date set after an appropriate minimum time. When the offender can demonstrate that through participation in offender programmes his risk to society of perpetrating further sexual crime is reduced, then supervised release can be considered at that point.
"However, where no reduction in risk can be demonstrated, the full life sentence can continue to apply."