Courts / Kildare / Report
'Monsters in my dreams': gang rapists get combined 26 years
Summary
A 16‑year‑old girl was gang‑raped by Patrick Kelly (22) and Joseph Byrne (44) in a Kildare town between March and June 2020. The attacks occurred in a car, Byrne's home, and two fields, with the men alternating vaginal, oral and anal rape. The victim, now 21, gave a victim impact statement via video link, describing the men as "the monsters in her dreams" and detailing the physical and emotional pain she endured. Justice Paul McDermott sentenced Kelly to 13½ years, with the final two years suspended, and Byrne to 15 years, both under strict post‑release supervision and prohibited from contacting the victim. The court noted the repeated, non‑consensual nature of the assaults and the victim's vulnerability. The sentencing reflected the severity of the gang‑rape and the men's disregard for her protests. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court. Joseph Byrne pleaded guilty and was convicted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Monsters in my dreams': gang rapists get combined 26 years. Charges or matters: specialist gardaí was played for the jury; three counts of rape, accepted on a full facts basis by the Director of Prosecutions. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- March 2020 Incident
- June 2020 Incident
- August 2020 Incident
- 2024-10-30 Publication
Why: In her victim impact statement, the woman said that Kelly called her that day to tell her he was going to take his own life and she met him because of this. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: specialist gardaí was played for the jury; three counts of rape, accepted on a full facts basis by the Director of Prosecutions (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Kelly was sentenced to 13 and a half years, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions, including that he engage with the Probation Service for three years and have no contact directly or indirectly with the woman. He expresses no remorse and does not accept the jury's verdict." Mr Justice McDermott imposed a sentence of 15 years on Byrne and ordered that he undergo post-release supervision for seven years.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Corra Choill Park
- Prosperous
- Kildare
Topics
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