Raymond Kevin Mooney (born 1945 in Melbourne) is an Australian novelist, playwright and screenwriter. Regarded as an important crime writer his plays have been produced in Australian theatres.[1]
In 1968 Mooney was sentenced to 12 years for rape and assault and was sent to HM Prison Pentridge.[2] While in prison, he befriended cell mate Christopher Dale Flannery, who was accused of being a prolific contract killer known as "Mr Rent-a-kill". Mooney became the first prisoner in Australia to complete a university degree while still in jail. Upon his release in 1975, he studied drama at the Victorian College of the Arts[3] and formed two theatre companies: Governor’s Pleasure, a theatre company of ex-prisoners and ZAP Community Theatre.[1]
Mooney wrote the play Everynight Everynight based on his experiences in Pentridge Prison.[4] A film adaptation of the play was made in 1994 and was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.[5]
Mooney has lectured at tertiary institutions, including Holmesglen TAFE and the VCA Film and Television School.[1]
Rape edit
In 1968, some months after separating from his wife, Mooney lured a 16 year old girl into his car.[2] When she screamed and tried to escape, he punched her in the face, breaking her nose. He then raped her and a short time later, raped her a second time.[2] Mooney was convicted of one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and two counts of rape.[6] At sentencing, he was supported by a Catholic Priest, Father Kevin Toomey. Mooney was sentenced to 12 years gaol with a minimum of 9 years and was sent to HM Prison Pentridge.[6]
Other works edit
- In 2011 Mooney co-authored A Pack of Bloody Animals, a book about the Walsh Street police shootings.[7]
- A Green Light – The Kingdom of Children (eNovel)
- A Green Light – The Kingdom of Men (eNovel)
- A Green Light – The Kingdom (eNovel)
- The Ethics Of Evil – Stories Of H Division (Non-Fiction, ebook)
- Mouth Of The Dog – An Attack On Snitches, Verballers and Informers (Non-Fiction, ebook)
- Gangsters With Badges: The Truth about Melbourne's Walsh St Murders
References edit
- ^ a b c "Raymond Kevin Mooney". AustLit: Discover Australian Stories. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Staff Writers (1 May 1968). "Priest Makes Clemency Plea, 12 years' gaol for clifftop assault, rape (page 8)". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ Fuller, Meredith (2 August 2016). "Meredith Fuller talks with Ray Mooney, author of 'The Ethics of Evil: Stories of H Division' (2016)". Toorak Times. Archived from the original on 9 January 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
- ^ Woodhead, Cameron (12 May 2012). "Everynight Everynight, Frank Theatre, Gasworks, Albert Park". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
- ^ "Winners & Nominees". www.aacta.org. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ a b Staff Writers (1 May 1968). "Priest Makes Clemency Plea, 12 years' gaol for clifftop assault, rape (page 8)". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ Toy, Mitchell (13 November 2011). "Walsh St 'admission' in new book, A Pack of Bloody Animals". Herald Sun. News Limited. Retrieved 31 January 2013.