Courts / Ireland / Report

Jail for man who raped friend as a teenager

Date
2023-07-25
Stage
Sentence

Summary

A 20‑year‑old man from Laois was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final six months suspended, for raping a teenage friend on a wasteland on Halloween 2019. The victim, now 19, testified that she resisted and asked him to stop, but he turned her around and raped her. He had previously claimed the encounter was consensual and had warned authorities that the girl would file a false allegation. The court heard that the victim had suffered isolation, loss of friends, and difficulty returning to school, and that she had sought counselling. The judge, noting the defendant's youth and lack of prior convictions, imposed a headline sentence of four years but ultimately imposed a three‑year term with a suspended six months and strict probation conditions, including a consent‑education course. The defendant was also ordered to register as a sex offender. The unnamed 20-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for man who raped friend as a teenager. Charges or matters: rape at the area in Laois on October 31, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

Why: The victim said she moved school and home because of how "unsafe" she felt. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 20-year-old

Convicted Person

Charges: rape at the area in Laois on October 31, 2019 (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; A Laois man who raped a friend on wasteland on Halloween night when they were both teenagers has been jailed for two and a half years. Mr Justice Burns sentenced the man to three years in prison and suspended the final six months on strict conditions including that he engage with the Probation Service for three years upon his ultimate release from prison.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Garda Station
  • had attended the local garda station

Topics

Stage Sentence

Read the original CNI report

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