A man convicted of rape, assault and coercive control has been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court. Dean Ward targeted the woman through an online dating site in May 2019, moving into her home in Killybegs, County Donegal, where he subjected her to a six-week campaign of violence and psychological control. Justice Kerida Naidoo imposed an 18-year sentence for the most serious rape offence, suspending the final year, and a concurrent four-year term for coercive control. Ward, formerly of Wexford, was convicted in 2022 of twelve offences including three counts of rape, assaults, false imprisonment and making threats to kill. The judge found the victim's consent to sexual intercourse was secured through fear and force. Following his arrest by armed gardaí in July 2019, Ward maintained his innocence. Outside court, the victim spoke of receiving support from An Garda Síochána and encouraged others in abusive relationships to seek help. Ward has previous convictions for assault and false imprisonment dating to 2016.
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Original report plus public source leads and related archive reports used for review context.
Public source leads
- Man sentenced to 17 years for rape, assault and coercive control has appeal rejected - The Irish Times The Irish Times · Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT
- Woman cites 'amazing support' from gardaí after man jailed for rape and coercive control - Irish Examiner Irish Examiner · Thu, 28 Jul 2022 07:00:00 GMT
- Man jailed for 17 years for coercive control, rape, assault over six-week period - RTE.ie RTE.ie · Thu, 28 Jul 2022 07:00:00 GMT
- Man jailed for coercive control and repeated sex assault of wife during Covid lockdown - BreakingNews.ie BreakingNews.ie · Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT
- Man who raped, assaulted and coercively controlled Donegal woman appeals conviction - Sunday World Sunday World · Tue, 06 May 2025 07:00:00 GMT
- Dean Ward: Thug who beat and raped woman during six-week relationship to remain in prison - Sunday World Sunday World · Mon, 15 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT
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