Courts / Laois / Report
Convicted rapist jailed for rape of teen who had dreamed of becoming vet
Summary
A 41‑year‑old woman who had taken a summer job looking after animals on local farms to prepare for a future as a vet was raped by John Phelan, 54, between 1992 and 1993 when she was aged 14 to 16. Phelan pleaded guilty to four sexual assault charges and two rapes at his home and other locations in Laois. He had previously served seven years for raping a girl aged nine to 11 in 1989 and 1990. At sentencing, the judge noted Phelan's false claim of no sexual preference for minors and described the abuse as calculated and exploitative. Phelan was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with 18 months suspended, and ordered to serve three years of post‑release supervision. The victim's impact statement highlighted how the abuse ended her dreams of becoming a vet and left her with lasting trauma.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Convicted rapist jailed for rape of teen who had dreamed of becoming vet. Charges or matters: four charges of sexual assault and two of raping the woman when she was aged between 14 and 16 years at various locations in Laois, including at his home, on dates between 1992 and 1993. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 1992 Incident
- 1992 and 1993 Incident
- 1989 and 1990 Other
- 2018-11-05 Publication
Why: By Aoife Nic Ardghail and Sonya McLean A convicted rapist has been sentenced to nine years in prison for the rape of a young girl who came to work with him because she dreamed of becoming a vet. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: four charges of sexual assault and two of raping the woman when she was aged between 14 and 16 years at various locations in Laois, including at his home, on dates between 1992 and 1993 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Phelan, a married father-of-two, served a seven year sentence from 2008 for raping and sexually abusing a young girl in 1989 and 1990 when she was between nine and 11 years old. Ms Justice Murphy sentenced Phelan to nine years in prison with the final 18 months suspended.; Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy had adjourned sentencing after hearing the evidence last July.
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