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Denis Naughten stepped up and took action

It’s not in my nature both as a voter and (especially not) as a journalist who must remain fair and balanced at all times, to show bias towards any politician.

However, I have to say well done to Independent Roscommon-Galway TD Denis Naughten, left, for his part in the ‘new protocol’ at Roscommon Hospital which allows ambulances to bring patients (who meet certain clinical criteria), and who’d otherwise become victims of the trolley crisis, directly to the hospital.

We all remember how former Taoiseach Enda Kenny promised to ‘protect and defend’ the A&E at our local hospital; then, no sooner was he elected, he oversaw its closure. And yes, I know I should ‘let it go’ but I won’t! I’m sick to my back teeth of the way in which the good and decent people of this county have their rights abandoned and their entitlements erased by those in power…and breathe!

Back to Denis, a man who, when everyone else seemed to wring their hands and shake their heads in exasperation, stepped up, took action, and provided results.

Go raibh maith agat Denis!

Well, prison is meant to be difficult. Prison is meant to be a deterrent against reoffending. Prison is not meant to be party-central.

Let me make it clear: rape is rape in any language; therefore if you commit this horrific, violent crime on Irish soil, whatever your nationality, you’d better be prepared to do the time, as per our legislation. End of!

When I read the litany of injuries sustained by that poor woman, I was extremely angry. I wondered why the sentencing judge, (who, albeit acted within their discretion regarding the so-called mitigating circumstances of this perpetrator), felt a full sentence ‘would be 50 per cent more severe for him than a local’. My heart bleeds…not!

This slap-on-the-wrist approach of making allowances for a rapist/violent abuser is never going to prove a deterrent to an offender; nor is it going to educate any man with aggressive, threatening behavioural tendencies towards women and children to take responsibility for their actions. Rather, it’ll have the opposite effect of making them think they can do what they like, when they like, to whomever they like, without the fear of ever facing a punishment.

As I write readers, women and children in this county are living in fear for their lives; yet, it seems, (in this case anyhow), that the original court pulled back on penalising a violent offender.

Thankfully and, may I add rightly, justice has been served because, in their wisdom, the Court of Appeal deemed the ‘discount’ this particular disgusting individual received was ‘excessive’ and his jail term has been increased.

*For those who need help, Women’s Aid’s 24-hour national freephone helpline is available on 1800 341

900; the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s national 24-hour helpline is 1800 77 8888. In an emergency please, please, dial 999.

My thoughts are with the victim; I hope she can focus on her future and will rebuild her life knowing she is a strong and brave survivor.

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