The case of Raymond Shorten, a taxi driver who was allowed to continue working despite previous convictions for sexual offenses, has raised significant concerns about the regulatory systems in place to protect the public.
It has now also come to light that the taxi driver who was convicted last month of raping two young women in his taxi on separate nights in 2022, has also been convicted of raping a seven-year-old girl 12 years ago. The first rape took place shortly after the child’s mother had died. The second rape took place when she was also around seven or eight and the third incident involved a sexual assault in a car.
He pleaded not guilty and gave evidence in his defence at the trial earlier this year, where he also denied the allegations and said they were total fabrications. However a jury found him guilty on all three counts.
This incident highlights critical flaws in the current system and emphasises the need for more stringent measures to ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals, particularly women. Shorten had a history of serious sexual offenses. Despite this, he retained his Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) license, enabling him to continue driving a taxi and thereby granting him access to vulnerable passengers. The fact that his prior convictions were not deemed “serious” enough to revoke his license exposes a glaring oversight in the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
The Act specifies that certain convictions should result in mandatory disqualification from holding an SPSV license. However, in Shorten’s case, it appears that the specific nature of his previous offenses did not meet the criteria for revocation. This loophole allowed a convicted sexual predator to remain in a position of trust, where he could continue to exploit vulnerable women.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and other advocacy groups have expressed alarm over this systemic failure. Rachel Morrogh, the chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, highlighted the urgent need for answers and immediate remedial actions from the taxi regulator. The public, she argued, must be assured that the system is robust enough to prevent individuals with a history of sexual offenses from holding positions that put them in close contact with potential victims.
This case highlights a broader issue, the safety of women is not being taken seriously enough. The regulatory failure that allowed Shorten to maintain his license despite his criminal record is symptomatic of a system that fails to prioritise the protection of vulnerable individuals. Women, particularly those using taxis to safely return home after a night out, should be able to trust that their driver does not pose a threat. The failure to disqualify Shorten undermines this trust and the need for systemic reform.
The reluctance of some victims to come forward adds another layer of complexity to this issue. There is a pervasive fear among victims of not being believed, of facing societal judgment, or of retaliation. It is crucial to create an environment where victims feel supported and assured that they did nothing wrong. Organisations like the Rape Crisis Centre play a vital role in providing such support and encouraging victims to come forward. Their message is clear, victims are not alone, and help is available.
Ensuring victims feel heard and believed is fundamental to encouraging more survivors to report their experiences. The justice system and societal structures must work in tandem to provide a safe, supportive environment for victims. This includes not only legal protections and robust regulatory frameworks but also comprehensive support systems that prioritise the well-being and dignity of survivors.
The case of Raymond Shorten reveals significant gaps in the regulatory framework governing taxi licenses. It raises critical questions about the criteria used to evaluate the suitability of individuals to hold such positions of trust. The National Transport Authority and An Garda Siochana must re-evaluate their processes to ensure that individuals with any history of sexual offenses are barred from obtaining or retaining SPSV licenses.
There is an urgent need for greater transparency and accountability within these regulatory bodies. The public deserves to know why and how such lapses occur and what measures are being implemented to prevent them in the future. The introduction of more rigorous vetting processes and continuous monitoring of license holders could help mitigate the risk of similar incidents.
Shorten will be sentenced for these offences on 19 July. He is then expected to be sentenced on 22 July, for the three rape charges relating to the two young women he attacked in his taxi in June and August 2022.
If you have experienced any form of abuse, gender based violence, or sexual violence, please reach out to the following …
Rape Crisis Centre – call 1800 77 8888
Women’s Aid – call 1800 341 900
An Garda Siochana – call 999 / 112
