The early release of Charleen Murphy’s attacker highlights our failing prison system
Earlier this week, Charleen Murphy opened up about how her attacker had been released from prison on “good behaviour”.
The statement was unsurprising when you consider how menial murder sentences can be in this country.
Our justice system has failed women time and time again, but hearing Charleen’s attacker was let out early reminded us of just how the failing system and the unwillingness to take violence against women seriously.
Knowing someone dangerous, who attacked a woman, is allowed out on good behaviour makes us understandably nervous. It proves that our justice system doesn’t take violence against women as seriously as it should.
Charleen wasn’t even notified about her attacker’s release. He was just reintroduced to society as if nothing had happened, leaving me and others feeling beyond unnerved.
We don’t know who could be roaming the streets if those who are found guilty of crimes against women barely face any consequences.
Speaking on Doireann Garrihy’s podcast, Charleen said she didn’t even get a phone call to alert her about her attacker’s release.
She shared, “I found out off someone else which is really disappointing. I found out off someone whose auntie works somewhere being like “we’ve seen him around”.
“I wasn’t rang, I wasn’t alerted, which is really bad I think.
Charleen was already nervous and concerned about being out in public, but now that fear has been heightened.
“The place we call home no longer feels safe”
She said she’s already hyper-aware of being out in public after the 2023 attack so the least our justice system could do is keep dangerous men off the streets.
Her attacker walked into a busy restaurant and punched her in the back of the head, causing her to smash into a glass in front of her.
She was injured, mentally shocked and emotionally shaken, but so little was done to help reassure her.
Her attacker was given an 18-month sentence, a mere slap on the wrist, and can now return to his regular life.
Charleen said: “I’m already hyper-aware of where I am when I’m there, but then when you know that someone’s out when they attacked you, you’d kind of want to know like.
“So that was really disappointing, and to hear someone’s out on good behaviour is just like a slap in the face because you don’t get much time anyway in Ireland,” Charleen pointed out.
And she couldn’t be more right. The sentencing handed down to people who attack women in Ireland is so weak that it’s nearly impossible to believe.
There is already so little protection out there for women. We’re afraid to walk down the street alone, fearful of travelling in taxis, and even hesitant to be home alone.
We constantly feel threatened and unsafe and even more so when judges fail to acknowledge the never-ending danger we face.
The justice system is failing us and it’s making the place we call home not feel like one at all.
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