Courts / Galway / Report

Former Ros na Rún actor jailed for "predatory" rape granted legal aid for appeal

Summary

Garrett Phillips, a former Ros na Rún actor, has been granted legal aid for an appeal against his conviction. Phillips, 47, of Galway, was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury of raping a 20-year-old woman in November 2015. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and had no previous convictions. The Court of Appeal President, Mr Justice George Birmingham, approved legal aid for two counsel after Phillips' lawyer, Ange Bolly BL, demonstrated the appellant had no income or assets. Phillips is appealing his conviction, which has not yet been dated for hearing. He was originally sentenced to six years' imprisonment by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, who described the act as a "callous rape" with a "predatory element." The court heard that Phillips offered the victim a lift home after she was upset in a park, but allegedly raped her in his van. Phillips claimed the encounter was consensual, stating it felt "chemical," while the victim reported waking to find him standing over her. She escaped, memorised the vehicle registration, and sought help. Phillips, a father of two who had been acting in London, was not present for this procedural hearing. The matter remains at the appeal stage, with the legal aid application now resolved to facilitate the upcoming Court of Appeal proceedings.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former Ros na Rún actor jailed for "predatory" rape granted legal aid for appeal. Charges or matters: the offence and had no previous convictions. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• November 5, 2015 Incident
• 2019-02-22 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report