Dear Editor,
Mayo Rape Crisis Centre would like to welcome the revocation of the bail of Mr Patrick O’Brien today (Friday ).
It is heartening to see a judge apologise. We would like to pay tribute to Ms Fiona Doyle who had the courage to waive her anonymity and face the perpetrator, the courts and the public with such a powerful message. She is in her own words “vindicated” today and we are both relieved and very happy for her. We would also like to thank all those who have got in touch with the centre over the last few days to register concern, disgust, bewilderment and fear over what happened. We would again like to thank those women in Mayo who have for many reasons not been able to sacrifice their anonymity on foot of an unfair decision in the courts. Regardless of outcome going into court for a victim of sexual violence is deeply traumatising and often the victim does feel like she is on trial as Ms Doyle articulated so well this week. Anyone who makes a statement of complaint against a sexual offender is brave beyond words and in particular when the perpetrator is in the family. It is our experience that few regret taking that step. Most of the women we have worked with, though not all, do feel glad that they have reported the crime. It may take a few hours, a few weeks or months but few regret the decision. The decision is one thing, the process is another thing and it is a difficult process. So we again want to include in our thanks to Fiona Doyle for the service she has done, and to all the women of Mayo who have also taken cases down through the years or who have tried to. Each in their own way paves the way for safer future for all our children. Thank you to all of them. They know who they are. Sadly we so need them still.
We are also acutely aware of how a story of this nature resurrects sometimes deep emotional pain for those who were or who are being sexually abused. Our thoughts are with them also and we urge them to make contact with our service or with one of the helping agencies which thankfully exist now to help.
Do not be afraid to reach out for help. Breaking the silence and the secrecy is the beginning of healing.
Our freephone number is 1800 234 900. The 24 hour freephone number is 1800 778 888 and the HSE National Counselling Number is 1800 234 114.
Yours sincerely,
Ruth MacNeely
(On behalf of Mayo Rape Crisis Centre )
