Courts / Wexford / Report
Court asked not to give "blank cheque" to young offenders in "benchmark" rape case
Summary
A 20‑year‑old man, who was 16 when he raped a 15‑year‑old girl at a house party in Co. Wexford, is awaiting the outcome of two appeals on his three‑year jail term. He was tried as an adult after a two‑year delay between interview and charge. A jury found him guilty and he was sentenced to five years, with the final two suspended, by Mr Justice Paul McDermott on 23 October 2017. In the appeal, his barrister, Paddy McCarthy SC, argued the sentence was too long, citing the defendant's youth and the need to minimise interference with his future education and career. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Pauline Walley SC, welcomed the withdrawal of the defendant's appeal against conviction and argued the sentence was too lenient, noting the seriousness of the offence and the victim's vulnerability. The Court of Appeal will reserve judgement. The unnamed 15-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court asked not to give "blank cheque" to young offenders in "benchmark" rape case. Charges or matters: rape at a house in Co Wexford on July 24, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- July 24, 2014 Other
- October 23, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 2016 Incident
- 2019-02-21 Publication
Why: Ms Walley said the accused had pushed "this myth" that the injured party was the instigator or was "somehow to be blamed because she wasn't able to control herself" due to her intoxication. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: rape at a house in Co Wexford on July 24, 2014 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; He was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to five years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Mr Justice Paul McDermott on October 23, 2017.
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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