Courts / Dublin / Report
Woman tells court she felt as if 'soul had left her body' after rape
Summary
During a sentencing hearing for Daniel Okungbowa, a 35‑year‑old of Thornfield Square, Clondalkin, two women who were raped while asleep read victim impact statements. The first woman, now 31, was raped in 2016 and had pleaded guilty to the offence after a 2020 conviction. She described the assault as a loss of her soul, depression, anxiety and self‑harm, and said she forgives the rapist and prays for his healing. The second woman, now 32, was raped in September 2020 while celebrating with friends. She said the event changed her life, damaged her family relationships, and caused her to stop working. Both women described the rapist's attempts to blame them and his denial of the offences. The judge noted the offences were pre‑meditated, involved sleeping victims, and imposed a headline sentence of 14½ years, with a final 13‑year term and 18 months suspended on strict conditions. Daniel Okungbowa pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman tells court she felt as if 'soul had left her body' after rape. Charges or matters: a count of rape following a trial at the Central Criminal Court; raping a woman on September 13, 2020 in a flat in Dublin; another rape of a 23-year-old woman that had occurred four years earlier on November 26, 2016; the 2016 offence after his conviction for the 2020 offence; one offence. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- September 13, 2020 Incident
- November 26, 2016 Incident
- September 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2016 Incident
- 2024-07-23 Publication
Why: There was a time when I wished the worst for you because I believed my life was destroyed. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: a count of rape following a trial at the Central Criminal Court; raping a woman on September 13, 2020 in a flat in Dublin; another rape of a 23-year-old woman that had occurred four years earlier on November 26, 2016; the 2016 offence after his conviction for the 2020 offence; one offence (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Daniel Okungbowa, who was jailed for 11 and a half years for raping this woman and a second woman four years later. He imposed a global sentence of 13 years with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions.
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