Campaigners blast ‘sickening’ rapist taxi driver Raymond Shorten

Campaigners for victims of rape have blasted ‘sickening’ Raymond Shorten – the Dublin taxi driver who raped two young women in separate incidents in 2022 who has also been convicted of raping a seven-year-old girl.

Raymond Shorten (50) with addresses in Melrose Crescent, Clondalkin and in Rathfarnham, was convicted in May of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault in 2012 of the young girl.

Shorten had pleaded not guilty to the rape and anal rape of a 19-year-old woman on June 26, 2022 and to the rape of another woman, then aged 20, a couple of months later on August 9. Each young woman separately found themselves in a taxi after a night out socialising and drinking in Dublin city centre, where they were raped by the driver, Shorten.

READ MORE: Taxi driver Raymond Shorten convicted of raping girl, 7, days after funeral as victim tells of horror

READ MORE: Daughter of rapist taxi driver says she hopes he ‘gets what he deserves’

The Central Criminal Court heard Shorten was known to the family of the seven-year-old girl at the time. The now 20-year-old woman indicated she wished for Shorten to be named, but to retain her anonymity.

Speaking today, the Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Rachel Morrogh, said: “It is sickening to learn that Raymond Shorten, who was convicted in June of raping two young women in his taxi on separate dates in 2022, has also been found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a 7-year-old child more than a decade ago.

“All these cases are absolutely horrifying in their own rights. The common thread is that Shorten leveraged power imbalances to rape young and vulnerable people who trusted him.

“Shorten is a predator but he was also a taxi driver who used his place of work to commit some of the sexual offences of which he has been found guilty. Taxis are a vital and trusted way for people to move about, particularly at night time and should remain so.

“I think the public will want reassurance from Government that the safeguards that are in place for their safety are optimal, that they are resourced and that they are working.

“I want to recognise the fact that because Shorten pleaded not-guilty in all these cases, this has added a further burden on his victims. They had to go through the ordeal of a trial process which can include cross-examination, delivering testimony and delays in the process.

“The fact that there has been another conviction is very positive and welcome. We send our best wishes to the three young women who are survivors of his violence and we thank them for their bravery in coming forward, which can be a hugely difficult, lonely process.

“For anyone who has been affected by this issue either directly or indirectly, I want them to know that Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is open 24 hours a day for support over the phone. The National Rape Crisis Helpline 1800 778888 is fully confidential and we can help you explore your options in your own time and according to your own wishes.”

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