Courts / Galway / Report
Ex-hotelier jailed for rape says his defence was not put to jury
Summary
Brian Shaughnessy, a former hotelier aged 55, was convicted in March 2013 of raping a 17‑year‑old employee at his Loughrea Hotel and Spa. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment with one year suspended. Shaughnessy appealed, claiming his defence counsel had not adequately presented his version of events, particularly a two‑hour period he alleged the victim spent in the room after the assault. He argued that key card and phone records, which he supplied to his lawyers, were not examined by the jury. His appeal was rejected in April 2020, but he successfully applied to the Supreme Court, which sent the case back to the Court of Appeal in March 2023. At the Court of Appeal, Shaughnessy reiterated that his defence was not put to the jury and that the two‑hour claim had been raised repeatedly with his legal team, yet was not pursued during the trial.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ex-hotelier jailed for rape says his defence was not put to jury. Charges or matters: raping the female part-time employee in the early hours of July 26, 2010, in the presidential suite of the Loughrea Hotel and Spa, which he owned at the time. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- July 26, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 10, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 7, 2022 Adjournment
- 2022-07-26 Publication
Why: Shaughnessy said he did because the victim's father rang him and asked what Shaughnessy did to his daughter. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: raping the female part-time employee in the early hours of July 26, 2010, in the presidential suite of the Loughrea Hotel and Spa, which he owned at the time (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; He had denied the rape charge but was convicted by a jury in March 2013 and was sentenced to six years with one year suspended by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on June 10, 2013 at the Central Criminal Court. Mr Geraghty said the he met with Shaughnessy post-sentence and that his then client told him he had 17 grounds of appeal.; Mr Justice George Birmingham, presiding, adjourned the appeal to October 7, 2022, to allow time for the preparation of transcripts and submissions from both sides.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Central Criminal Court
- Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court
Topics
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