Rapist attacked guest in bathroom of his home

A man from Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, has been sentenced to eight years' imprisonment following his conviction for rape at the Central Criminal Court. Dilzar Hamad, aged 40, was found guilty by jury in March 2025 of raping a woman who was visiting his home in January or February 2021. The court heard that Hamad sent inappropriate text messages to the woman beforehand and subsequently threatened her into silence. During the assault in a downstairs bathroom, he physically restrained her and covered her mouth. The woman provided a victim impact statement describing how the offence has fundamentally altered her life and sense of safety. Mr Justice David Keane noted an abuse of trust and elements of planning and intimidation in Hamad's actions. Although crediting Hamad's previously unblemished character and prison conduct, the judge found his continued denial of the offence precluded any demonstration of remorse. Hamad was ordered to undergo two years of post-release supervision with strict conditions.