Courts / Carlow / Report
"He left me there to die, he wasn't sorry": court hears from Carlow rape victim left with life-changing injuries
Summary
In March 2018 the Central Criminal Court heard the case of Anthony Cassidy, 34, who raped and severely assaulted a woman in her fifties in Carlow. The victim was found unconscious on the outskirts of town 12 hours after the attack, with her top pulled up to her collarbone and her trousers partially removed. CCTV footage and DNA evidence linked Cassidy to the scene. He pleaded guilty to rape and assault causing serious harm on 25 June 2017. The victim suffered a multifocal brain injury, extensive bruising and was admitted to intensive care for weeks. She is now dependent on family care, experiences ongoing pain, immobility and night terrors. The court noted the offence was of exceptional seriousness and adjourned sentencing to 23 April, with a potential sentence above 12½ years up to life in prison.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "He left me there to die, he wasn't sorry": court hears from Carlow rape victim left with life-changing injuries. Charges or matters: rape and assault causing serious harm of the woman on June 25, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 25, 2017 Incident
- April 23 Adjournment
- 2018-03-23 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: rape and assault causing serious harm of the woman on June 25, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The woman's daughter told the court that the first time she heard her mother whispering her name following the attack was "like winning the lotto a thousand times over." Addressing Cassidy, she said that her mother has been given "a life sentence of feeling dirty, feeling shame, feeling not good enough".; Mr Justice McCarthy adjourned sentencing to April 23 next.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- 11 years for violent rapist who went on to attack again just a year after prison release
- Six years for man who tried to strangle partner in her own home
- Money mule to be sentenced over role in €19k phishing scam
- On-bail offender jailed for armed threat to burn down Carlow pub owners' home
- Woman pleads guilty to Carlow murder
- Rapist who asked why teen victim hadn't screamed gets six years
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request