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THE WOMAN whose father was allowed to walk free from court last week – despite him pleading guilty to 16 counts of raping and sexually assaulting her – has met the Taoiseach to discuss her experiences.
Fiona Doyle, whose father Patrick O’Brien was freed on bail pending appeal against the severity of his three-year sentence – only for bail to be rescinded after a public outcry three days later – met Enda Kenny in Government Buildings this evening.
The pair met for an over an hour to discuss Doyle’s first-hand experience of the legal and courts systems, and the treatment of assault victims in the court system.
Speaking to reporters outside Doyle said she had raised the subject of minimum sentences, as well as measures which make judges more sensitive of the feelings and troubles of assault victims.
In remarks broadcast by RTÉ, she said Kenny had agreed to take her requests “on board” and complemented the Taoiseach for being “a good listener”.
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Brave woman, fair play to her.
She should get a woman of the year award. She will probably single handedly do more for abuse victims than 100 tribunals. The politicians and judiciary might wake up to what has become a kind of “everyday” crime and they might see a real person inside the victim.
Her interview on the Late Late left me stunned… You could’ve heard a pin drop in the studio when she said she still loved her father. Awe-inspiring woman.
Also, I don’t say nice things about Enda often, but fair play to him for taking the time to meeting Ms Doyle. He seriously didn’t have to…
I had to physically cover my eyes and ears. So disturbing. I hope the truth sets her free..
@paul Anthony- funny you should say that because this thread is about to be inundated with people accusing him if political opportunism….
Of course he didn’t have to…it was a calculated PR move..like everything else he does!Why do you think he pays out millions to media and PR advisors every year?This shouldn’t be about him..it should be about that lady and how SHE and SHE alone won her case and got justice not Enda Kenny latching on with opportunism…
@Vincent Dolan – I don’t know why you got so many red thumbs cos in fact you were right!! I smiled as I scrolled down at the remarks made about HIM!!!! I can’t even say HIS name.
It was pre recorded as far as i know.. There was no audience there.
@laura- it’s ok. Just call him Taoiseach
Was it not Fiona who requested the meeting with Kenny? So how is it a PR stunt? What would you say if he refused her request?
Jesus how naive are some people!He accepted to see her because he and his team knew how disgusted the public were at what happened.This is what they call “Collateral PR” (look it up!!!)He was then advised that it would be in his interests to show empathy and what they call in the business showing a “father figure” role,someone you can talk to!His ratings and the governments are at an all time low,PR advisor’s take every opportunity to gain brownie points.To anyone who has worked or works in government or multi-corporate PR this is nothing new (that’s how they earn their wages for gods sake, they make people look good!)Guys… you may think he is well intentioned but a dossier is put on his desk every morning advising him how to react to certain events before and while they are happening!!He doesn’t keep up to date on every event that is happening simultaneously(which is impossible!), this is done for him, prioritised and acted upon!!To those that think I’m the cynical one here they really need to get a job in PR and spend a few years around politicians and then you’ll see who the real cynics are!It would be nice to think that even politicians have a heart but its all a game to them…….
Avarus…..thats very impressive! So the PR people got Fiona to request the meeting with Enda so that he could say yes? Sorry Avarus but I think youre over rating the power of your prefession.
I’m not saying that at all Sean,you dont get it,even if she hadn’t asked he would have asked her in and it still would have been made to look like he cared and was doing something pro-active!That’s creating a good public relations image!He has done it before on other very emotive and public issues!He refuses hundreds of requests daily from all across society…why did he choose to make a deal out of her case?Because sexual abuse issues are very sensitive (esp.in Ireland) and it needs to be shown he can deal with anything.Also politicians are always advised to show overt protection of women.Sexual equality may be flourishing in our society but studies still show a strong male figure as provider and protector are what men and women alike want to see in a leader (and a man!).You think I’m making this up….I couldn’t make it up if I tried..PR is a well established industry!!!And as we all know for an industry to survive it must make money and in order to make this money..it must do its job very well!Some of the best PR people in the world work here and are obviously doing a good job because even you believe he really cares about this matter…you see him in a good light..job done!I never said it was my profession just to clarify..so I’ll say Adieu :)
Very brave lady.I hope the rest of her life is a happy one, she deserves it!
As for Enda Kenny, I still think he is a worthless and gutless human being driving our country into the dirt.This is just political lip-gloss for him and his ilk.He likes to be seen to be doing something rather than actually doing something.
Doubt he will lose sleep over you… Then again some randomer called me a ‘gutless human’ , I think id not sleep over it either..
Maybe you need more sleep Declan, half of that makes no sense and I couldn’t care less for his sleeping patterns but I’m sure you do Declan as we all know your a Fine Gaeler and love the ground on which he walks….I even noted you defending Shatter in one article..please get more sleep!
I am me… I don’t like labels etc. member of no party… but do i think Goverment are doing well in a very difficult situation … hell yes i do…
I do however hate when people take every piece on site and try and use it in a way to insult or abuse the Goverment!!! This is a story about Fiona Doyle and immediately you try to make it into a mud slinging excercise at Enda Kenny!! Its pathethic…
My god she looks like a new woman.
What does that mean -Kenny is taking on board what she said ?
She said he is a good listener, maybe because he had nothing to say ?
I admire Fiona for meeting Enda today,I know I would not !
He’ll be devastated not to have met you, Eileen
Sycophant
Eileen
This was a day for Fiona Doyle. So why don’t you just leave it that instead of throwing unnecessary insults in a gratuitous and vulgar way.
Ha! Good one Vincent!
Dont think Enda would be interested in meeting you… Hell i only read your odd comment and id rather pick stones in a field on a wet day than meet you…
Stop making this about Enda Kenny..
As if she hasn’t been through enough already.
My God, she looks like a new woman. Congratulations Fiona.
I believe all is not what it seems!
Is this related to the book that will be coming out. As I was surprised when it was announced during interview
What does that mean?
@tom Lots of victims of abuse write books about their experience. I feel like writing a book myself but about another area of abuse in Ireland which I won’t go into here.
Meaning ????
Care to ellaborate?
Congratulations to Fiona Doyle, she looks like a new woman.
C’mon. Who should you devote your comments to; Fiona Doyle or Enda Kenny? This shouldn’t be a single-issue website.
it.s win win for both of them .
enda looks like he cares about the people and that poor woman plugs her book.
Equal opportunities cynicism. I can respect that.
@Alan, ridiculous comment! Did she even mention the book today?
no but the media did.
Extremely brave woman, to be admired & applauded. But for some reason I felt in her interview after her meeting with Enda , that she like me feels it was of little benefit, her “he said he would look into it” had little or no conviction.
You felt!!
Usual stuff on here again.. Take something possitive and she was possitive post meeting and twist and manipulate it so that in some way you can insult or abuse…
What’s the chances of thejournal.ie writing the headline: “Fiona Doyle complements the Taoiseach for being a good listener”? Answer: Zero. Though, that would be no more subjective than many of thejournal.ie’s headlines.
Fair point Paul..
With due respect, Paul, I don’t follow you – are you saying there’s something equally subjective about the headline for this piece?
Well, it’s not just a question of thejournal.ie’s biased headline write-ups, it’s also a question of the biased stories it selects.
Just a few days previously, thejournal.ie gave us this story:
I think it would have balanced out this previous article quite nicely if thejournal.ie had titled the above article ““Fiona Doyle complements the Taoiseach for being a good listener”.
In my opinion, the comment pages of thejournal.ie articles are dominated by the outpourings of what I term “the Fianna Fail/Sinn Fein Scrum”. Yes, there are independents who also comment. However, historically, independents and their elected representatives have had marginal influence on the course of events in the Republic of Ireland, such as bringing forward significant pieces of legislation, and they will continue to have marginal influence.
I suggest that, over time, the staff of thejournal.ie resist the temptation of pandering to the Fianna Fail/Sinn Fein scrum in the comment pages and write balanced articles or, if there is a developing story, try to take a balanced view of it over time.
Have a Nice Day.
Paul – Thanks for your response; though I disagree with your stance, I respect it nonetheless.
If I’m not mistaken, the Taoiseach was out of the country at the time. He wanted to receive her at Government buildings after he got back. A Fianna Fail Taoiseach probably would have made a quick 5 minute phone call.
Fiona Doyle and her efforts to raise awareness of the plight of victims should be the focus here!!
The woman has been to hell and back; she didn’t have to meet Enda Kenny (and no matter what his reasons were, why does it matter) she has put herself on the line again and deserves nothing but the full suppot of everyone for doing so.
Victim recognition is along way off still in the Irish criminal system, she is highlighting this, she had a meeting with a legislator and thats how change comes about.
have your say