Courts / Galway / Report
Court rejects appeals by Galway Races rapist and sexual offender
Summary
Two men from Longford have failed in their conviction appeals at the Court of Appeal following their trial for rape and sexual assault during the Galway Races in August 2017. Karl Reilly of Carrickboy and Patrick McLoughlin of Moydow were convicted and sentenced to seven and five years' imprisonment respectively, with 18 months suspended in each case. The appellants, who had pleaded not guilty, argued that an erroneous time-stamp on phone evidence discovered during trial prejudiced their defence preparation and that their trials should have been separated. Presiding judge Mr Justice George Birmingham dismissed both grounds of appeal. The court found that the phone timing discrepancy, whilst unfortunate, did not cause irreparable damage to the trial and could have been addressed through further cross-examination or closing speeches. On the severance issue, the judge noted that the differences between the men's accounts to gardaí were minor and that joint trials routinely proceed where potential defence difficulties are far greater. Both conviction appeals were dismissed in their entirety.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court rejects appeals by Galway Races rapist and sexual offender. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- August 5, 2017 Incident
- 2023-12-08 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Karl Reilly (40) of Inny View, Aghara, Carrickboy, Co Longford, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended for the single charge of raping the woman in the back of the van at a car park in the harbour area of the city on August 5, 2017. Patrick McLoughlin (36) of Torboy, Moydow, Co Longford, was also sentenced to five years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended by Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring for the sole charge of sexual assault of the woman also in the back of the van.
Applicant
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Patrick McLoughlin (36) of Torboy, Moydow, Co Longford, was also sentenced to five years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended by Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring for the sole charge of sexual assault of the woman also in the back of the van.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Appearance of tips machine in cafe that pulled in €5k unexplained, tribunal notes
- Judge speaks out about toxic masculinity while jailing young man for rape
- 'You ruined my life,' rape victim tells older brother
- Retired Franciscan brother jailed for 11 years for raping boy
- Lab had to decontaminate first aid room after technician found to have been napping, wearing lead-exposed work gear, tribunal told
- Lithuanian man admits engaging in terrorist plot to attack mosque
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request