A Galway rapist has been told by Mr Justice Flood at the Central Criminal Court he must continue serving his 10 year-sentence at least until January 2001. Paul Cullinane (35), of Barry Avenue, Galway, was jailed by Mr Justice Flood on April 14th, 1997, for the rape of a teenage schoolgirl on August 24th, 1993. Cullinane had lured the teenager off a bus and tricked her into believing a friend had sent him to meet her. He then took her to his home and raped her. He was also jailed in 1982 for six years for raping another woman.
When sentenced in 1997, it was indicated he could apply for a review of the 10-years sentence and Mr Justice Flood had indicated last month he might have released Cullinane yesterday on very strict conditions. Mr Justice Flood, in his final sitting as a High Court judge, said while he appreciated there was an element of him resiling from his previous comments, he had thought long and hard on the case and wasn't satisfied Cullinane could be released, especially since he would be living far from his family and home town. He needed to be as stable as possible before release.
Mr Justice Flood said he took the decision in the public interest and also to give Cullinane a further opportunity to get more and continuous treatment. That was his entitlement as a citizen and his place of detention was no excuse for the authorities not to provide it for him. He accepted Cullinane had made great progress while in custody and had taken part in a therapy programme. But the reports before the court indicated he had not fully maintained that progress and had in some ways reverted to his previous attitude. Mr Justice Flood said he had a strong belief that "if given the treatment he is entitled to" Cullinane would succeed.
Mr Justice Flood adjourned the case to January 19th next when another judge would have to decide on the case. For that hearing, he said the authorities should present the court with an ongoing programme of treatment. This programme should be drawn up by October 15th.