Courts / Dublin / Report
12 years for man who tied up and raped woman at gaming con
Summary
In a Dublin gaming convention, 28‑year‑old Keith Hearne tied up, raped and falsely imprisoned 25‑year‑old Dominique Meehan in a hotel meeting room. He bound her hands with a tie, used a prop knife to threaten her, and sexually assaulted her. Hearne pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, one count of oral rape and one count of false imprisonment. He was sentenced by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy to 12 years' imprisonment, with a five‑year post‑release supervision order. The judge noted Hearne's only mitigating factor was his guilty plea and that he was caught during the act, which reduced the mitigating factor. Hearne gave no reaction to the sentence. Meehan, who waived anonymity, said the sentence was a relief but still felt it was too light and that her life has changed dramatically since the assault.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 12 years for man who tied up and raped woman at gaming con. Charges or matters: two counts of rape, one count of oral rape and one count of falsely imprisoning Ms Meehan at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Blanchardstown on July 4, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 4, 2015 Other
- 2017-06-19 Publication
Why: Ms Meehan (25) said she wished to waive her right to anonymity in order to help more people come forward about sexual abuse. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of rape, one count of oral rape and one count of falsely imprisoning Ms Meehan at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Blanchardstown on July 4, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Hearne gave no reaction to the sentence.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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