Courts / Wicklow / Report

"No legal basis" for victim to waive right to anonymity so rapist can be named, court told

Summary

In a 2019 case, a 41‑year‑old Wicklow man was convicted of repeated sexual attacks on a victim who was nine when the first assault occurred. The man pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault between 1987 and 1989, and was sentenced to seven years. During the trial, Mr Justice Michael White ordered that the identities of both parties remain unpublished, a request made by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The 1981 Rape Act prohibits publishing the identity of a man accused of rape until conviction and also protects the complainant's anonymity. After the conviction, the victim asked a reporter to name the offender, prompting the State to bring the matter back to court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "No legal basis" for victim to waive right to anonymity so rapist can be named, court told. Charges or matters: four counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault in Co Wicklow on dates between 1987 and 1989. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• 1987 and 1989 Incident
• 2019-05-27 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report