Courts / Ireland / Report
Victim of rape at hands of older cousin tells court of seeking justice and reclaiming his voice
Summary
A man has been sentenced to four years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the rape of his younger cousin in County Mayo in 2006. Noel Gallagher (33) of Dadreen, Louisburg, was convicted following trial in April after pleading not guilty to the anal rape of the victim, then aged nine, which occurred in a shed on the family farm between October 2006 and March 2007. The victim, now 27, waived his right to anonymity and read an impact statement to the court, describing how the offence blighted his teenage years and caused profound psychological harm, including suicidal ideation. He stated that seeking justice had allowed him to reclaim his voice. Mr Justice David Keane noted the victim's strength and resilience throughout the legal process. The judge set a headline sentence of eight years, reduced to five and then four years, taking into account the defendant's age at the time of the offence, his lack of prior convictions, and the time elapsed. A two-year post-release supervision order was imposed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Victim of rape at hands of older cousin tells court of seeking justice and reclaiming his voice. Charges or matters: the anal rape of Dylan Gallagher (27) in Louisburg on a date between October 1, 2006 and March 2007. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- October 1, 2006 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2019 Incident
- Christmas 2019 Other
- 2024-11-05 Publication
Why: "Suicidal thoughts were entering my head weekly because what happened me as a nine-year-old boy. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the anal rape of Dylan Gallagher (27) in Louisburg on a date between October 1, 2006 and March 2007 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Noel Gallagher (33) of Dadreen, Louisburg, Mayo, was today jailed for four years having pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the anal rape of Dylan Gallagher (27) in Louisburg on a date between October 1, 2006 and March 2007. Today he jailed Noel Gallagher for four years and imposed a two-year post release supervision order.; Mr Justice David Keane had adjourned the case, having heard evidence last week, to give him time to "carefully consider" the victim impact statement, the testimonials handed in on Noel Gallagher's behalf and a probation report that had been prepared for the case.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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