Courts / Louth / Report

Man who raped his 74-year-old aunt dies from heart attack two weeks before appeal due to be heard

Summary

Christopher Ward, aged 52, was convicted of raping his 74‑year‑old aunt Kathleen Ward in Dundalk on 13 March 2011. After an eight‑day trial, a Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty and Mr Justice George Birmingham sentenced him to 14 years' imprisonment on 19 May 2014. Ward had pleaded not guilty and was due to appeal his conviction and sentence in the Court of Appeal before 18 April 2015. However, his barrister, Michael O'Higgins SC, informed the Court that Ward suffered a heart attack on Friday and died, so the appeal will not proceed.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who raped his 74-year-old aunt dies from heart attack two weeks before appeal due to be heard. Charges or matters: the rape and sexual assault of his then 74-year-old aunt Kathleen Ward at her Dundalk home on March 13, 2011. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• March 13, 2011 Incident
• May 19, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• Tuesday April 18 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2015-04-15 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report