2026-04-24 ยท Ireland
Court rules that 20-year-old who raped girlfriend as teen cannot be identified
A court has ruled that a now 20-year-old man who raped his then girlfriend when they were both teenagers cannot be identified, despite the State's objections. The defendant, who was 16 at the time of the offence, was convicted of rape but acquitted of sexual assault. The court heard that the victim was visibly distressed and crying when she was dragged to the toilet by the defendant. The defendant denied the rape and claimed the sexual activity was consensual. The court imposed a custodial sentence of three and a half years, with the final year suspended for two years. The judge noted the defendant's disregard for the victim's lack of consent and placed him under probation supervision and on the sex offenders register. The court also made a Gilchrist order to prevent the publication of any details that might identify the defendant, citing a culpable delay in charging him as a child. The unnamed 20-year-old pleaded not guilty.