Courts / Kerry / Report
"I am the first to agree I deserve a custodial sentence": burglar who sexually assaulted "vulnerable" woman
Summary
In a case heard at the Central Criminal Court, Shane Fitzgerald, 26, pleaded guilty to burglary and sexual assault after breaking into a vulnerable woman's flat in a Kerry town in September 2016. Fitzgerald, who has 56 prior convictions, admitted to entering the flat, pulling down his pants, exposing his penis and forcing the woman to perform oral sex. He demanded money, took a sum, and fled. The victim, a woman in her fifties, was awakened at 3.30 am, was terrified, and later received assistance from a neighbour. Fitzgerald was arrested a few days later and has been in custody since October 2016. He has expressed remorse, written a letter to the court, and is undertaking anger‑management and psychological counselling. No other charges were brought against the other men involved. The case was adjourned to next Monday for finalisation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "I am the first to agree I deserve a custodial sentence": burglar who sexually assaulted "vulnerable" woman. Charges or matters: burglary and sexual assault at the woman's home in a Co Kerry town in September 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2016 Incident
- October 2016 Incident
- 2017-07-17 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: burglary and sexual assault at the woman's home in a Co Kerry town in September 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Shane Fitzgerald (26) wrote a letter to the court in which he said: "I am the first to agree I deserve a custodial sentence." He said he could not believe what he had done but was ready to address his issues such as drink, drugs and anger management so nothing like this would happen again.; Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy adjourned finalisation of the case until next Monday.
Places mentioned
Topics
Burglary Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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