The recent convictions of sexual predators in the courts send a “strong message” to potential perpetrators, according to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. 

Garda William Ryan was convicted yesterday of the sexual assault and false imprisonment of a woman in Aughrim Garda station in Wicklow four years ago. 

He was remanded in custody for the first time today and is due back in court in October for his sentence hearing. 

It comes just days after taxi driver Raymond Shorten was sentenced to 17 years for raping two women - meaning he will serve a total of 30 years for his repeated sexual offending. 

Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Rachel Morrogh said these crimes cannot be tolerated. 

“When it comes to any sexual crime, there is an opportunity to send a strong message to the public and any would-be perpetrators or anybody who has committed sexual crime, that there is that zero tolerance approach,” she said. 

“There will be lengthy sentences imposed by the court if somebody is found guilty of these crimes.” 

She said the conviction against Ryan is “very welcome”. 

“I think it's really encouraging for victims, who may have experienced sexual violence from a leader in a community, and to know that they can go to the court and get a conviction,” she said. 

Convictions against predators

Ryan sexually assaulted the woman three times at Aughrim Garda Station on a date in September 2020. 

The sole member stationed at Aughrim at the time, he denied the allegations, claiming that everything that happened was “fully consensual.” 

Shorten is facing 17 years in prison for raping two young women on separate occasions in 2022. 

Shorten had claimed the women consented to the sexual activity in his taxi. 

He was also sentenced to 13 years in prison for raping and sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl over a decade ago. 

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, 24/7: 1800 778 888 

Women’s Aid, 24/7: 1800 341 900