“He Really Listened” Taoiseach Vows To Consider Changes After Meeting With Fiona Doyle

A spokesman for the Government has confirmed that the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, will pass on the views of courageous and outspoken abuse survivor Fiona Doyle to Alan Shatter, the Minister for Justice.

The Irish Independent reports that Ms Doyle has revealed how she broke down during her meeting with the Taoiseach. She said that she emerged from Government Buildings with tears in her eyes, having told Mr Kenny the details of the horrific abuse she suffered at the hands of her father, Patrick O’Brien.

According to Ms Doyle, the Taoiseach had promised that he would look into her demands, which include the recruitment of “younger judges,” a more sensitive approach towards the victims of sexual abuse and minimum sentences for rapists.

“He actually really wanted to know my story and he wanted to know some of the details and wanted to know about the court processes. It was a bit emotional. I had to stop a few times,” said Ms Doyle.

The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny

There was public outrage when Ms Doyle’s father, aged 72, was released on bail just after he had pleaded guilty to raping and abusing her over a ten-year period.

However, Judge Paul Carney reversed his decision and O’Brien was sent to jail. His total sentence was 12 years but nine were suspended on account of his age and his health problems. He will now serve a three-year period.

Ms Doyle stated that she wanted mandatory minimum sentences for rape because she did not trust Irish judges to impose a strong enough sentence.

“The sentence my dad got made me feel I wasn’t worth anything, like my story wasn’t worth anything,” said Ms Doyle.

Fiona bravely waived her right to anonymity in order to speak out about the case and campaign for a stricter approach to be taken towards rapists in Ireland.

Ms Doyle said that her meeting with the Taoiseach had gone on a lot longer than she had expected because Mr Kenny wanted to hear her entire story.

“We talked about everything. I’m hoping that something will be done,” said Ms Doyle.

Ms Doyle, who appeared on the Late Late Show last week, said that the support she had received since she decided to go public with her story was like “the nation putting a blanket aroun me and keeping me warm.”

“It was worth it. I’d like to encourage women not to look at my case and back off. Come forward, it does make a difference,” she added.