Courts / Dublin / Report

Man convicted of causing serious harm to women by infecting them with HIV

Date
2018-07-12
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

An African national, aged 28, was convicted in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to two former partners by infecting them with HIV between November 2009 and June 2010. The jury, after an eleven‑day trial and four and a half hours of deliberation, returned unanimous guilty verdicts on both charges. The judge refused bail, citing a flight risk and the likelihood of a custodial sentence, and remanded the defendant to appear again on 26 July for sentencing. The prosecution argued that the defendant knew of his HIV status, lied to the complainants, and continued unprotected sex despite being advised on safe sex. The defense contended that the complainants' evidence was unreliable and that phylogenetic analysis could not prove transmission. The case is the first of its kind in Ireland. The unnamed 28-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man convicted of causing serious harm to women by infecting them with HIV. Charges or matters: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the two women on dates between November 2009 and June 2010. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Mr McGinn told the jury that the accused was guilty on both charges against him because he acted recklessly and caused serious harm to the complainants. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 28-year-old

Defendant

Charges: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the two women on dates between November 2009 and June 2010 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: By Declan Brennan and Aoife Nic Ardghail An African national convicted of causing serious harm to two former partners by infecting them with HIV will be sentenced later this month.; The judge remanded the man in custody to appear again in court on July 26 for a sentence hearing.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Facility
  • St James's Hospital

Topics

Airport Incidents Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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