Courts / Carlow / Report
"It doesn't get more serious; it doesn't get more violent": 18-year sentence upheld for savage rape
Summary
Anthony Cassidy, 34, was convicted of raping and seriously assaulting a woman in her 50s in Carlow on 25 June 2017. CCTV captured his movements to and from the site where the victim was found unconscious 12 hours later, but did not record the assault itself, which is said to have lasted about 30 minutes. Cassidy pleaded guilty to rape and assault causing serious harm, and had 34 prior convictions, including soliciting sex in the UK and two assaults in Ireland. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy sentenced him to 18 years' imprisonment, noting that a life sentence would have been imposed had Cassidy not pleaded guilty and shown "genuine remorse". The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence, with Mr Justice Michael Peart affirming that the offence was of the most serious type and that the judge's decision to reduce a potential life sentence to 18 years was correct. The appeal was dismissed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "It doesn't get more serious; it doesn't get more violent": 18-year sentence upheld for savage rape. Charges or matters: rape and assault causing serious harm. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 25, 2017 Incident
- 2019-10-08 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: rape and assault causing serious harm (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Sentencing him to 18 years imprisonment, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said he would have imposed a life sentence, were it not for Cassidy's guilty plea and "genuine remorse". He said he would not have had difficulty arguing in favour of a life sentence, had it been imposed.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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