Rapist's release 'triggering fear and anxiety'

[Posted: Wed 11/08/2010 by Deborah Condon www.irishhealth.com]

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) is reminding people who may be affected by the publicity surrounding the impending release of Larry Murphy, that it is available 24 hours a day.

Mr Murphy is due to be released from Dublin's Arbour Hill Prison after serving 10 years of a 15-year jail term for the repeated rape and attempted murder of a Carlow woman in Wicklow in 2000.

The victim, who was in her 20s at the time, only survived after two hunters accidentally came upon the scene of the crime causing Mr Murphy to flee.

According to DRCC chief executive, Ellen O'Malley-Dunlop, the centre is aware of the anxiety and fear ‘that is being triggered in the community by the impending release of convicted rapist, Larry Murphy'.

"We are acutely sympathetic to the possibility of the re-traumatisation of victims of rape and sexual abuse at this time by the extensive media coverage that this case has generated. We urge anyone who needs support, whether a victim or a friend or a family member, to call the national 24-hour helpline where there is always a trained person at the end of the line to listen and to provide support," Ms O'Malley-Dunlop said.

Like all prisoners in Ireland, Mr Murphy was entitled to remission equal to one-quarter of his sentence. According to the DRCC, this system of automatic remission of 25% of sentences ‘urgently needs reform in general, but more specifically in cases of serious crimes'.

"In cases of sex offences, we would call on the Government to legislate for remission to be linked with co-operation and participation in rehabilitation programmes and that high risk repeat sex offenders are not released until it is possible to assess that there is a reduction in the possibility of their re-offending," Ms O'Malley-Dunlop said.

The national helpline can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1800 77 88 88.