DPP Calls For Quick Rape Sentence Appeal

The Director of Public Prosecutions has asked the Court of Criminal Appeal to set an early hearing date in the case of Adam Keane, the Co Clare man who received a three year suspended sentence for rape.

Keane was given the suspended sentence by Mr Justice Paul Carney on 12 March for the rape of 33-year-old Mary Shannon. Ms Shannon waived her right to anonymity to speak out about the sentence and to ask the DPP to appeal.

This morning, Senior Counsel Pauline Walley for the DPP told the court the circumstances of the case were ‘unusual’ and the director was anxious to obtain a priority date for hearing.

Both sides in the case have asked for a full transcript of Keane’s trial and the sentencing hearing to be made available.

The case will be mentioned again on 14 May.