Man who raped sleeping girlfriend is jailed

A man from Buncrana, County Donegal has been sentenced to five years imprisonment, with the final two years suspended for two years, following his conviction for rape. Francis Bourne, aged 47, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to raping a woman at her home in Donegal in November 2016. The woman was asleep when the offence occurred. During sentencing, the court heard that the complainant has since experienced nightmares, depression and suicidal ideation. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed strict conditions including a prohibition on any contact with the woman. In mitigation, the court considered Bourne's guilty plea, expression of remorse, lack of previous convictions and voluntary work in his community. A psychological assessment indicated medium risk of reoffending. The investigation began after the woman reported the matter to gardaí in June 2017, and subsequent evidence included admissions made by Bourne via text message.