Sentencing - Victim's Rights - DPP v Crowley 2021 IECA 178

DPP v Crowley 2021IECA178.pdf

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The case of DPP v Crowley looks at the role of victims and the effect of the crimes on them in sentencing.

Edwards J stated:

We would urge the victims in the case to take comfort from knowing that the wrongs done to them were individually considered, and that appropriately merited individual sentences were nominated, but to understand that the law then requires a reconsideration of the cumulative total in the interests of ensuring overall proportionality. Although that may possibly lead to a reduction in the overall custodial sentence we would ask them to understand that, if there is a perceived need to do so, it in no way diminishes the appreciation of this court of the extent of the suffering and losses that they were caused by this appellant’s disgraceful offending conduct, nor is it intended to show disrespect to them as victims. However, the court is constitutionally mandated to ensure that any overall sentence is proportionate in the sense of not just taking into account the gravity of the offending conduct, but as one that also takes into account the circumstances of the offender.