Courts / Dublin / Report

Rapist in chilling copycat attacks on lone women

Date
2021-12-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

Ioan Lingurar, 35, was sentenced to 17½ years' imprisonment for two separate rape and false‑imprisonment offences that occurred three years apart. In 2016 he raped a woman who woke up in his car, was locked inside and could not escape until later that night. In 2019 he again assaulted a woman in a car, who managed to escape after grabbing the wheel and punching him. DNA from both incidents matched Lingurar's pre‑existing profile from Austria. He had previously been convicted of sexual assault in France (2011) and had other convictions in Ireland. The judge, Ms Justice Tara Burns, noted the offences were aggravated by the victims' isolation, the taking of their phones, and Lingurar's prior convictions. The sentences run consecutively, giving an effective custodial term of 17½ years. The victims' impact statements described lasting psychological harm and fear of strangers. The court did not consider any future outcomes beyond the sentencing. The unnamed woman pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rapist in chilling copycat attacks on lone women. Charges or matters: the sexual assault and false imprisonment of a second woman at locations within Co Dublin on February 24, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

October 2021 Incident
February 14, 2016 Incident
February 24, 2019 Incident
February 2016 Other
2016 and 2019 Other
2021-12-20 Publication

Why: She said she will keep going and "never let him win" because her child needs her. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed woman

Convicted Person

Charges: the sexual assault and false imprisonment of a second woman at locations within Co Dublin on February 24, 2019 (Proven)

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; A rapist who carried out chilling "copycat offences" three years apart against lone women who he falsely imprisoned and attacked has been jailed for 17 and a half years. Justice Burns sentenced Lingurar to ten years imprisonment and seven-a-and-half years imprisonment respectively for the offences in 2016 and 2019.