Courts / Galway / Report
'You like all this Ted Bundy sh*t': victim didn't know if she would escape alive during violent rape
Summary
In a Galway apartment on 1 November 2019, a 25‑year‑old former defence forces member raped, sexually assaulted and repeatedly choked a 20‑year‑old college student. The attacker, who was serving in the military at the time, taunted the victim with remarks such as "You like all this Ted Bundy shit" and used force that included biting, punching and headlocks. The victim, who survived the night, later gave a victim impact statement describing the terror and the physical injuries she sustained. The accused pleaded guilty to one count of rape. Mr Justice David Keane sentenced him to nine years' imprisonment, suspending the final two years on strict conditions. The sentence was back‑dated to the day he entered custody on 7 June. The court noted the offender's good character, lack of prior convictions and exemplary military service as mitigating factors, while the extended nature of the assault and repeated choking were aggravating factors.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'You like all this Ted Bundy sh*t': victim didn't know if she would escape alive during violent rape. Charges or matters: one count of rape at an apartment in Co Galway on November 1, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 1, 2019 Incident
- June 7 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-12-20 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of rape at an apartment in Co Galway on November 1, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Eimear Dodd and David O'Sullivan A former member of the defence forces who carried out a "violent and degrading" rape and assault of a college student who did not know "if she would be able to get out alive" has been jailed for nine years. Mr Justice Keane sentenced the man to 11 years' imprisonment, but suspended the final two years on strict conditions.
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