The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has “strongly welcomed” the thirty years of consecutive sentences handed to Raymond Shorten today.

The 50-year-old taxi driver was sentenced to 17 years for raping two young women on separate nights in 2022. Shorten, who comes from Clondalkin in Dublin, was also sentenced to 13 years in jail for the rape and sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl.

“The total jail term of 30 years is effectively equivalent to a life sentence,” said DRCC Chief Executive Rachel Morrogh, who described the decision as “another significant sentence given by the courts in recent weeks to perpetrators of sexual offences and should give great hope to people going through the justice system that this most heinous crime will be punished by lengthy imprisonment.

“As well as being welcomed by victims of sexual violence, the sentence should also send a message of zero tolerance to perpetrators. In this particular case, Raymond Shorten abused the trust placed in him by two young women to get home safely and took advantage of the fact they were vulnerable. He compounded the trauma he caused by denying all charges and attempting to discredit his victims.

“From start to finish, Raymond Shorten’s actions were part of a playbook used by rapists. Abusing trust and taking advantage of an unequal power dynamic are well-worn tactics. The jury that found Raymond Shorten guilty in June clearly saw through these efforts and Mr. Justice Paul McDermott has driven home the seriousness of his crimes with the 17-year jail term announced today.

“It is the hope of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre that the trend of substantial sentences being handed down for sexual crimes continues, and that this will encourage more victims to report to Gardai.

“Sadly, this country is not yet at a point where the elimination of sexual violence is in sight. Until that day comes, sexual crimes must be punished severely and that was certainly the case today.”

“We send wishes of healing and strength to the three young women who were attacked by Shorten and we thank them for speaking out.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.