Dublin Taxi Driver Convicted of Raping Two Women

A Dublin taxi driver has been convicted of raping two young women in separate incidents that occurred two years ago.

Raymond Shorten, 50, from Melrose Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court. The charges included two counts of rape and one count of anal rape.

After 76 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts. They began their deliberations yesterday afternoon.

Shorten had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which involved the rape and anal rape of a 19-year-old woman on June 9, 2022, and the rape of another woman, aged 20, on August 9, 2022.

The prosecution argued that both women had entered SShorten’staxi after nights out socialising in Dublin city centre, where he then raped them.

Shorten maintained that the sexual interactions with both women were consensual.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott, who presided over the six-day trial, thanked the jury for their diligence and excused them from further jury service for five years.

Shorten has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on July 1. The court has ordered the preparation of victim impact statements in the meantime.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about safety and public service providers’ responsibilities to ensure their passengers’ well-being.