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Jail term cut for man who attacked men after "on/off girlfriend" alleged rape
Summary
Sean O'Dea, aged 29, was convicted of assault causing harm to two men in a Dublin hotel room on 21 September 2013 after his "on/off girlfriend" alleged she had been raped. He pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was sentenced to three‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment on 21 April 2016. On appeal, the Court of Appeal reduced the sentence by suspending the final 18 months, provided O'Dea pays €10,000 to the Peter McVerry Trust within three months. The appeal argued that the original judge had over‑emphasised aggravating factors and under‑weighted mitigating ones such as O'Dea's guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, solid work record and provocation. The Court of Appeal accepted that O'Dea believed a rape had occurred, but found his physical attack unjustified. The suspended portion is conditional on the charitable payment and a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail term cut for man who attacked men after "on/off girlfriend" alleged rape. Charges or matters: two counts of assault causing harm to two men at the Radisson Hotel in Dublin city centre on September 21, 2013. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- September 21, 2013 Incident
- April 21, 2016 Incident
- 2017-03-28 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: two counts of assault causing harm to two men at the Radisson Hotel in Dublin city centre on September 21, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: O'Dea had the final 18 months of a new three-and-a-half year sentence suspended today, following an appeal, on condition he pay €10,000 to the Peter McVerry Trust within three months. Mr Justice Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice Michael Peart and Mr Justice John Hedigan, re-sentenced O'Dea to three-and-a-half years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended on condition he pay a sum of €10,000 to a nominated charity within three months.
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