Courts / Dublin / Report
Man (43) who raped girl (15) fails in bid to overturn conviction due to three-month delay in reporting crime
Summary
The Court of Appeal rejected a 43‑year‑old man's appeal against his nine‑year sentence for raping a 15‑year‑old girl, arguing that a three‑month delay in the victim's reporting did not make the trial unfair. The victim, who was 15 at the time, met the man on the street on 21 August 2017, was taken to his rented accommodation, and was raped there. She later reported the crime to her teacher and Gardaí. The man pleaded not guilty to rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment, was convicted on the first two counts, and sentenced in December 2021. In his appeal he claimed the trial was unfair because of the delay and because blood on the mattress was not examined. The Court of Appeal found no merit in these arguments and upheld the conviction and sentence. The decision was delivered by Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man (43) who raped girl (15) fails in bid to overturn conviction due to three-month delay in reporting crime. Charges or matters: rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment in an area of Dublin on August 21, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- August 21, 2017 Incident
- December 2021 Incident
- 2024-06-26 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment in an area of Dublin on August 21, 2017 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; The Court of Appeal has rejected an argument by a 43-year-old man jailed for nine years for raping a teenage girl that he should never have been tried due to a three-month delay by the victim in reporting the crime. He was convicted by a jury on the first two counts but acquitted of the third, before being sentenced in December 2021 by Mr Justice Paul McDermott to nine years in prison.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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