Anthony Lyons Case: It's Time to Put an End to the Soft Sentencing of Sexual Offenders in Ireland

As former Griffith Avenue resident and aviation broker Anthony Lyons returns to prison once more, following the attack and sexual assault of a young Dublin woman four years ago, it seems that finally our country's judicial system is beginning to improve. But as many will agree, it still has an awfully long way to go.

For those who may be unaware of the case, you can see our earlier article on it here. And here's a brief recap:

As the victim returned home in the early hours of an October morning after socialising with friends in a nearby bar, Anthony Lyons was overcome by 'an irresistible urge' which led him to 'rugby tackle' the then 27 year old to the ground and commit a sexual crime that would bring a heartbreaking level of suffering to both the woman and her loving family for the years to come. At the time, Mr Lyons and his legal team argued that it was a combination of alcohol, cholesterol lowering medicine and cough syrup that lead him to stray from his normally 'impeccable character'.

Yes, that is really what they said. For shame.

After lengthy, traumatic court hearings, the judge eventually decided to punish Mr Lyons with a six year sentence. This was good news, right? Wrong.

It was then revealed that he would only actually serve six paltry months of that sentence based on the fact that when he wasn't rugby tackling and assaulting young women, he was considered an upstanding citizen. In reality, he only served four and a half months. And so cue another few years of absolute rage, dissatisfaction and disillusionment that a man with money (and God knows, money talks) could basically get away with what he had done despite the presence of a system that, as far as we know, is there to protect us.

Isn't that always the case though? Don't these people always 'seem' like decent people until we realise that, well, they're not? When it comes to sex offenders or even serial killers, they're generally not exactly easy to spot. Sure, Mr Lyons has a wife and a family, he had a big job and a big house. But unless you've got horns growing out of your head or the words 'potential sexual offender' emblazoned on your forehead, blending into society won't be a problem until it emerges that you're indeed capable of such unthinkable acts.

The very fact that he did it, admitted it, but still pleaded not guilty and showed no remorse in court for the distress caused to the victim and the family, is proof enough that he is NOT a man of impeccable character and that he is NOT worthy of a lighter sentencing. Nothing about this act was accidental.

Mr Lyons was released from prison in December 2012 before relocating to the UK. But outrage continued to spread across the country as Irish citizens and the media rallied together in support of this family, and others like them, against a system that's seriously failing. And so, the initial sentencing was appealed.

And late last week it was finally concluded by the CCA (Criminal Court of Appeal) that Mr Lyons absolutely should have received the six years but with four suspended, meaning that he had to return to prison and sit out the remaining 18 months, effective immediately. The original sentencing was said to be 'unduly lenient'. And indeed it was.

Where most people's anger will arise, however, is why suggest six years at all, if four of them will be discarded so easily? What does this say to other potential offenders? 'Well, if I give the impression that I'm a decent person and a good family man then I'll probably get a good few years of my sentence knocked off, and that's if I even get caught.'

It was also argued in favour of Mr Lyons that he had offered to pay a significant amount in damages to the victim (€75,000, though the victim did not accept this money) as though that should be taken into consideration and that we should all just give him a break. Are we really living in a country where you could effectively buy yourself a get out of jail free card? Is this Monopoly or is it a functioning, democratic society? And isn't the idea behind fair and just penalties to discourage others from committing such crimes? Surely you'd serve a similar amount time for criminal acts of far less significance. If the system is severe enough to jail those who haven't paid their TV license, for example, then how does it make sense that that same system would adopt a gentle approach with wealthy sexual offenders?

As Mr Lyons continues his 'spectacular fall from grace', he joins rank with former notorious offenders and as his defense team admitted, he can 'never be forgotten'.

A quote of thanks from the victim's family, given to us exclusively by the family:

For all the tremendous support, we have  got to thank from our hearts the following people and we are sure they will feel our pain today: Our families, relatives, neighbours and friends who carried us on this long and cruel journey; the Gardaí and DPP who together brought Anthony Lyons to justice for his heinous crime; our legal team who worked relentlessly in the background; the Rotunda Hospital, doctors, counsellors, and the Rape Crisis Center. Together they helped our daughter through her terrible ordeal. We would also like to thank the public who stood beside us and raised their voices; Dublin City Council who have since put new street lights in the area where the attack took place; and the media who followed the case tirelessly. A special thank you to the two brave men who saved our daughter on that horrendous night on Griffith Avenue. We cannot thank you all enough!

After years of heartache, it's now clear that things must change for the better so that other families in the future won't have to endure the same level of distress, and so that offenders like Lyons are punished in a way that reflects the severity of their crimes. Following on from the Anthony Lyons case, a petition has been set up to introduce mandatory minimum and mandatory maximum terms for all serious offences and encourage the jailing of all violent sex offenders for a minimum of eight years.

Do you agree that there should be an end to soft sentencing? Are you eager for consistency in the courts? That's the aim of this petition, as well as reducing the backlogs in the appeal courts and sending out a clear message that serious crime will be punished - first offence or not.

Please share your thoughts with us below. And you can sign the petition here.

(images via The Star)