Courts / Dublin / Report

Security guard gets 14 years for rape and violent attacks on sex workers

Date
2020-03-16

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Noel McKeon, a former hospital security guard, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for the rape and violent assault of two sex workers. McKeon pleaded guilty to sexual assault, assault, robbery, and rape of the two women, as well as false imprisonment of the first victim. The attacks occurred in 2016 and 2018 after McKeon contacted the women via an escorts website. In the 2016 incident, he allegedly assaulted the victim, forced her into sexual acts, and attempted to stab her as she escaped from a window. In the 2018 incident, he allegedly punched the victim, pulled her hair, and raped her vaginally and anally. Mr Justice Tony Hunt described the conduct as degrading and humiliating. He imposed consecutive headline sentences of ten years for each victim. Taking into account McKeon's guilty pleas, the judge applied a four-year discount, resulting in a total term of 16 years. The court suspended the final two years of this sentence on the condition that McKeon engages in sex offender treatment, addiction treatment, and anger management specifically addressing violence towards women. McKeon's defense counsel highlighted his history of drug abuse and suicide attempts, noting he wished to express remorse. The victims provided impact statements describing their fear and humiliation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Security guard gets 14 years for rape and violent attacks on sex workers. Charges or matters: sexual assault, assault, robbery and rape of the two women. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

June 18, 2016 Incident
February 2, 2018 Incident
February 4, 2018 Incident
2020-03-16 Publication

Case subjects

Noel McKeon

Defendant

Charges: sexual assault, assault, robbery and rape of the two women (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He suspended the final two years of this sentence on condition that McKeon engage in sex offender treatment, addiction treatment and anger management specifically around violence towards women.