Courts / Kildare / Report
Judge agrees to defer rape sentencing to allow teen make appeal application
Summary
A Central Criminal Court judge agreed to postpone sentencing for a 17‑year‑old Kildare teenager who was found guilty of orally raping his seven‑year‑old female cousin and of four counts of sexual assault between 1 October and 31 December 2018. The defendant, who was 13 at the time of the offences, is a minor and cannot be named. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, after hearing the case, decided to adjourn the matter for two weeks to allow the defence to lodge an appeal application to the Court of Appeal. She noted the trial was unusual, with no closing speech by defence counsel and no cross‑examination, so the victim did not attend court. The judge expressed that a period of detention would be imposed, taking mitigating factors such as the defendant's age and cooperation into account, and that the sentences would run concurrently.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Judge agrees to defer rape sentencing to allow teen make appeal application. Charges or matters: orally raping his female cousin by a jury following a trial earlier this year; four counts of sexual assaulting her on unknown dates between October 1 and December 31, 2018. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- October 1 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 31, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 30 Adjournment
- July 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2020 Incident
- 2023-01-13 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: orally raping his female cousin by a jury following a trial earlier this year; four counts of sexual assaulting her on unknown dates between October 1 and December 31, 2018 (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Ms Justice O'Connor indicated her view that a period of detention must be imposed, given the serious nature of the offences, the young age of the victim and the impact of the offending on her.; Ms Justice Karen O'Connor agreed to a request from defence counsel today to defer finalisation of the case for two weeks while they make an application to the Court of Appeal.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Related court reports
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- 'Merciful approach': man who sexually assaulted girl (14) a year after defiling her won't face any extra jail time
- Museum employee charged with possessing bomb tells court he wants to reapply for bail 'at earliest chance'
- Explosive device allegedly stored in National Museum at Collins' Barracks
- Journalist 'victimised and penalised' by animal rescue charity, solicitor says
- Fraudster jailed for conning over €50k from elderly woman for garden work
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request