Courts / Wicklow / Report

Woman forgives former partner for raping her while she slept

Date
2019-02-08

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Wicklow

County
Wicklow

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a woman, who remains unnamed to protect her anonymity, stated that she had forgiven her former partner, a 59‑year‑old Wicklow man, for raping her while she slept. The man, convicted by a jury in December of a single rape charge that occurred on 5 November 2015, had denied the allegation and had no prior convictions. Justice Carmel Stewart imposed a seven‑year sentence, suspending the final 18 months. The court noted the woman's "heartfelt" victim impact statement and her brave admission of forgiveness. The judge wished her well and a full recovery. The case involved a brief relationship that ended in 2015, a subsequent new relationship, and an alleged assault that the man claimed was consensual. The woman described the assault, the medical examination, and her ongoing mental‑health struggles. The defense highlighted the man's good character and parenting record.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman forgives former partner for raping her while she slept. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

November 5, 2015 Other
November 4, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
2019-02-08 Publication

Why: The woman revealed that the medical exam was almost like being raped again because she had to stand naked in a cold, clinical room and have every part of her body checked over and swabbed. CNI source report