Courts / Galway / Report
Appeal court upholds 15-year sentence imposed on rapist for "outrageous" attack
Summary
Louis Shiels, aged 27, pleaded guilty to rape, oral rape and false imprisonment of a woman who had become separated from friends at a hen party in Galway. The offences took place at his rented accommodation on 5 June 2011. He was sentenced on 25 February 2013 to 15 years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended on each rape count, and a concurrent 8‑year sentence for false imprisonment. Shiels applied to review the sentence, but the Court of Appeal rejected the application. The court upheld the judge's view that the assault was "outrageous" and that mitigating factors such as Shiels' Asperger's syndrome and a psychologist's report were not sufficient to reduce his responsibility. Shiels will serve the remainder of his sentence in prison.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Appeal court upholds 15-year sentence imposed on rapist for "outrageous" attack. Charges or matters: rape, oral rape and false imprisonment of a woman at his rented accommodation in the city on June 5 2011. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 5 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 25 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-12-10 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: rape, oral rape and false imprisonment of a woman at his rented accommodation in the city on June 5 2011 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to 15 years in prison with the final three years suspended on each rape count and a concurrent sentence of 8 years for false imprisonment by Mr Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court on February 25 2013. Rejecting Shiels' application for a review of sentence, President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice Seán Ryan said it would be an error to consider this case as coming anywhere other than at the highest end of the spectrum.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Central Criminal Court
- Clifton Crescent
- Galway
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