Courts / Galway / Report

Ros na Run rapist has conviction upheld

Summary

The Court of Appeal rejected former Ros na Rún actor Garrett Phillips' appeal against his conviction for raping a 20‑year‑old woman in Galway on 5 November 2015. Phillips, 48, was found guilty by an 11‑1 majority after a four‑day trial at the Central Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced to six years' imprisonment. He had pleaded not guilty, claiming the act was consensual. His lawyers argued that the trial judge had erred by refusing to allow cross‑examination of the victim about an oral sex act she had had with her boyfriend a week before the offence. The appeal was dismissed on the basis that the alleged prior act was not relevant to the rape charge. Phillips will now appeal the length of his sentence on 30 April.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Ros na Run rapist has conviction upheld. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

• April 2018 Incident
• November 5, 2015 Incident
• April 30 Other
• 2011 and 2014 Other
• 2021-04-12 Publication

Why: Ms Murphy claimed the issue had relevance because of its proximity in time and the similar nature of the sexual act for which Phillips had been convicted. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report