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Dangerous sex offender appeals convictions for 'brutal and primal' attacks
Summary
In November 2020, a 36‑year‑old serial sex attacker appealed his convictions, claiming unlawful detention after a knife‑wielding assault. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, found the evidence overwhelming but left the appeal undecided. The defendant had been convicted of nine offences across three attacks in Clondalkin between 2011 and 2016, including false imprisonment, sexual assault, and assault causing harm. He was sentenced to 18 years and six months' imprisonment, described by Judge Pauline Codd as "brutal and primal" and "premeditated," with aggravating factors such as a hunting knife, duct tape, and cable ties. Post‑release, he faces a nine‑year supervision period, curfew, residence notification, and travel log. The appeal centred on alleged procedural breaches during his arrest, specifically the lack of a custody record book and an unlawful extension of detention, which the Director of Public Prosecutions deemed "unfortunate" but not unlawful. Mr Justice Birmingham reserved judgement.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dangerous sex offender appeals convictions for 'brutal and primal' attacks. Charges or matters: nine offences in relation to attacks on three women in the Clondalkin area of Dublin over a five-year period on September 11, 2011, September 3, 2015 and May 16, 2016; false imprisonment, sexual assault and assault causing harm in relation to the first two offences; false imprisonment and assault causing harm in relation to that offence. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- September 11, 2011 Incident
- September 3, 2015 Incident
- May 16, 2016 Incident
- May 2018 Incident
- 2020-11-20 Publication
Why: Ms Crowe further argued that an extension to her client's detention was unlawful because the Chief Superintendent who granted it did not have adequate information. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: nine offences in relation to attacks on three women in the Clondalkin area of Dublin over a five-year period on September 11, 2011, September 3, 2015 and May 16, 2016; false imprisonment, sexual assault and assault causing harm in relation to the first two offences; false imprisonment and assault causing harm in relation to that offence (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; He was convicted on all counts by unanimous jury verdicts and jailed for a total of 18 years and six months by Judge Pauline Codd at the Circuit Criminal Court in May 2018.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Circuit Criminal Court
- he arrived at the garda station
Topics
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