Courts / Kildare / Report
Ex-soldier's 'cynical and cold campaign of rape' sees him jailed for 10 years
Summary
An ex‑soldier, Niall Kennedy, aged 31, was convicted by a jury of 12 counts of rape on eleven occasions in August 2017 and of harassment and threats between February and August 2017. He denied the charges and did not accept the verdicts. Mr Justice Paul Burns sentenced him to 13 years, with 12 years of concurrent sentences and a final two years suspended for five years on strict conditions. Kennedy was ordered to never contact the victim or approach within 200 metres of her location. The court noted Kennedy's lack of remorse, his emotionally illiterate character and above‑average risk of reoffending. The victim, in her early 20s, described a controlling and violent relationship that culminated in repeated rapes and threats, and she expressed fear and trauma following the ordeal. The sentencing hearing highlighted the prolonged cross‑examination of the victim and the complexity of the case.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ex-soldier's 'cynical and cold campaign of rape' sees him jailed for 10 years. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- August 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2017 Other
- December 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- Christmas Other
- 2022-02-21 Publication
Why: Today, I am proud of myself because I don't see myself as a victim any more. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; The judge imposed concurrent sentences for the offences totalling 12 years, with the final two years suspended for five years on strict conditions. Last month, a sentence hearing was adjourned after Kennedy's lawyers told the court their client was reported to have Covid 19.; Last month, a sentence hearing was adjourned after Kennedy's lawyers told the court their client was reported to have Covid 19.
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