Courts / Mayo / Report
Former Seminarian has jail term increased for repeated rape of young cousin
Summary
A former seminarian's prison sentence has been increased by two years following a Court of Appeal ruling that his original five-year term was unduly lenient. Aidan Gallagher, aged 41, of Dadreen, Killadoon, Westport, County Mayo, was convicted by jury in May 2023 of six counts of oral rape of his cousin on dates between 1998 and 2003. The Central Criminal Court jury sat in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy found that the sentencing judge had erred by treating all offences as committed while Gallagher was a minor, despite one occurring when he was 19 years old. The court imposed a revised sentence of seven years on each count, running concurrently. Gallagher had denied the allegations across two trials. The victim waived anonymity to allow her cousin's naming in reporting. Gallagher, who was due for ordination, has no previous convictions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former Seminarian has jail term increased for repeated rape of young cousin. Charges or matters: six charges of oral rape of his cousin on dates between 1998 and 2003 in sheds around their homes; minding the child." In delivering judgement today, Mr Justice McCarthy said the court took the view that the complaint of undue leniency was well founded. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- May 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 1998 and 2003 Incident
- 2024-07-25 Publication
Why: Counsel said the sentencing judge had identified ten years as a headline sentence if Gallagher had been an adult, but this was reduced to six years because he was a minor for part of the time that the offending occurred. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: six charges of oral rape of his cousin on dates between 1998 and 2003 in sheds around their homes; minding the child." In delivering judgement today, Mr Justice McCarthy said the court took the view that the complaint of undue leniency was well founded (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; He was jailed for five years by sentencing judge Mr Justice David Keane, who also imposed a two-year post release supervision order. Counsel said the sentencing judge had identified ten years as a headline sentence if Gallagher had been an adult, but this was reduced to six years because he was a minor for part of the time that the offending occurred.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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