Courts / Galway / Report
Hotel owner jailed for rape was unhappy with previous legal team, appeal hears
Summary
Brian Shaughnessy, a 53‑year‑old former Galway hotel owner, was convicted of raping an employee in the Loughrea Hotel and Spa's Presidential Suite after buying her drinks and asking to confide in her. The Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty on 26 July 2010, and he received a six‑year sentence with the final year suspended by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on 10 June 2013. Shaughnessy has now lodged an appeal, arguing that his previous legal team failed to prepare or conduct his defence adequately. His new barrister, Hugh Hartnett SC, claims new evidence was omitted from the transcript and that the trial judge mis‑informed the jury about the victim's demeanour. The Court of Appeal will consider these arguments, with counsel for the former team and the Director of Public Prosecutions presenting counter‑arguments, and the court has reserved its judgement. Brian Shaughnessy pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Hotel owner jailed for rape was unhappy with previous legal team, appeal hears. Charges or matters: raping the girl at the Lough Rea Hotel and Spa in Galway on July 26, 2010, but was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury following a trial. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- July 26, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 10, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2020-02-27 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: raping the girl at the Lough Rea Hotel and Spa in Galway on July 26, 2010, but was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury following a trial (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; He was sentenced to six years imprisonment with the final year suspended by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on June 10, 2013.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Related court reports
- Appearance of tips machine in cafe that pulled in €5k unexplained, tribunal notes
- Judge speaks out about toxic masculinity while jailing young man for rape
- 'You ruined my life,' rape victim tells older brother
- Retired Franciscan brother jailed for 11 years for raping boy
- Lab had to decontaminate first aid room after technician found to have been napping, wearing lead-exposed work gear, tribunal told
- Lithuanian man admits engaging in terrorist plot to attack mosque
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request