Courts / Kildare / Report
House party rapist loses bid to overturn conviction
Summary
In November 2019, a 30‑year‑old man was found guilty of raping a sleeping woman at a house party in Co. Kildare. The trial, lasting a week, involved a jury of five women and seven men. The accused claimed the victim had consented, but the court heard that she was fully dressed, had gone to bed, and woke to find the man raping her. She fled to her sister's room and reported the assault. The judge, Mr Justice Michael White, sentenced him to five years' imprisonment in July 2020. In November 2022, the man appealed to the Court of Appeal, arguing that a Garda witness's oral evidence was materially inconsistent. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy dismissed the appeal, stating the evidence had been properly considered and no prejudice to the jury was found. The conviction and sentence remain in force. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: House party rapist loses bid to overturn conviction. Charges or matters: the charge of rape at a location in Co Kildare in June 2015. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 21, 2015 Incident
- 2022-11-04 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the charge of rape at a location in Co Kildare in June 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: by Paul Neilan A man who was jailed for five years for raping a sleeping woman during a house party has failed in a bid to overturn his conviction at the Court of Appeal. In July 2020, the male was sentenced to five years' imprisonment by Mr Justice Michael White.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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