Courts / Wicklow / Report
Media want sight of submissions in child rapist gagging order case
Summary
In 2019 a Central Criminal Court jury convicted a 49‑year‑old Wicklow man of repeated sexual attacks on a nine‑year‑old neighbour. He pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault between 1987 and 1989. Mr Justice Michael White sentenced him to seven years in May 2019 and, during the trial, imposed an order preventing the publication of the identities of both parties. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later sought to lift the order after the victim wished to waive her anonymity so the rapist could be named. The DPP's application was rejected in November 2019 because the court had no mandate to alter the trial‑time order. The DPP is now appealing that judgment, and the case is scheduled for hearing before the Court of Appeal.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Media want sight of submissions in child rapist gagging order case. Charges or matters: four counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault in Co Wicklow on unknown dates between 1987 and 1989. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- March 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 1987 and 1989 Incident
- 2020-05-06 Publication
Why: The publication of the accused's name could have identified the victim because they were neighbours and the victim would need to waive her legal anonymity in order for the rapist to be named. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: four counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault in Co Wicklow on unknown dates between 1987 and 1989 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice Michael White imposed a seven-year sentence the following May.; The case was then put back to the next 'list to fix dates' before the Court of Appeal later this month.
Places mentioned
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