Courts / Dublin / Report
Rape survivor tells court she is 'one of the lucky ones' to get out of abusive relationship alive
Summary
Mary O'Donnell, 33, told the court she is "one of the lucky ones" for surviving a prolonged abusive relationship with Mark Leonard, 30. Leonard was jailed for 10 years after a Central Criminal Court jury convicted him of seven assault charges, a false imprisonment charge and several sexual offences. He pleaded guilty to the assault charges but denied the assault causing harm, false imprisonment and sexual offences. Leonard accepted the verdict, wrote an apology letter and was sentenced to 11 years concurrent, with the final year suspended on strict conditions, including probation and no contact with O'Donnell. O'Donnell read a victim impact statement describing the abuse as "sinister" and the lasting fear it caused. The judge expressed sympathy and noted her support from a loving husband. The case highlighted the prolonged campaign of physical and sexual abuse she endured.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Rape survivor tells court she is 'one of the lucky ones' to get out of abusive relationship alive. Charges or matters: seven charges of assaulting the woman causing her harm; anal rape, two charges of oral rape, false imprisonment and assault causing harm on dates between January 2016 and September 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 2016 Incident
- September 2019 Incident
- October 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2019 Incident
- October 2019 Incident
- 2024-07-29 Publication
Why: A woman who was raped and regularly beaten by her partner over a number of years has said she understands that she is "one of the lucky ones" because she got out of her relationship alive. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: seven charges of assaulting the woman causing her harm; anal rape, two charges of oral rape, false imprisonment and assault causing harm on dates between January 2016 and September 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Today Leonard was jailed for 10 years. He imposed concurrent sentences of 11 years before he suspended the final year of the term on strict conditions, including that Leonard engage with the Probation Service for three years upon his release from custody and not have any direct or indirect contact with Ms O'Donnell.; Mr Justice Paul Burns had adjourned the case having heard evidence two weeks ago.
Places mentioned
- Moatfield Road
- Dublin
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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