Courts / Ireland / Report
Man jailed for five years for marital rape
Summary
A 45‑year‑old Laois man was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, for raping and violently assaulting his wife in their marital bed after she declined to hold his hand. The judge described the case as tragic and noted the victim's emotional impact statement, in which she said she felt like a ghost and that her life and family relationships were destroyed. The man's two adult sons testified in support of him, describing him as a good father. He has pleaded guilty to assault causing harm but denies the rape conviction. The court considered that he had no prior convictions and had led a blameless life before the incident. The sentencing hearing took place in the Central Criminal Court, where the judge highlighted the severity of the victim's suffering and the man's remorse as expressed in a letter to the judge.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man jailed for five years for marital rape. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to her by punching her repeatedly in the face prior to raping her. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 8, 2015 Incident
- 2016-12-20 Publication
Why: The man told gardaí he "flipped" because the woman accused him of being "needy" and he felt she implied he didn't know how to attract women. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to her by punching her repeatedly in the face prior to raping her (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A Laois man who raped and brutally beat his wife in their marital bed after she declined to hold his hand has been jailed for five years.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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