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Defence forces member jailed for repeated rape of fellow soldier as judge finds he was 'significantly misled' over 'dedicated father' claims
Summary
Kielan Mooney, a 30-year-old Defence Forces member from Derry, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to eight and a half years' imprisonment for the repeated rape of a fellow soldier. Mooney, who pleaded not guilty to six charges including two counts of rape, two of oral rape, one of anal rape, and one of sexual assault, was convicted by a jury on three counts: rape, oral rape, and anal rape. The jury failed to reach a verdict on the remaining three charges. Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed a global sentence of eight and a half years, backdated to Mooney's initial custody in December. The judge also ordered a two-year post-release supervision period, requiring Mooney to engage with the Probation Service. Mr Justice Hunt stated he had intended to reduce the headline sentence by two years but withheld this reduction after finding he was "significantly misled" by mitigation material describing Mooney as a "dedicated father." The judge labelled these claims a "false prospectus" and a "gross overstatement," noting evidence that Mooney had no meaningful contact with his children. The victim, a serving soldier, read a statement detailing the impact on her life and career. Mooney's legal team argued the initial encounter was consensual, but the judge rejected suggestions of false allegations, describing Mooney's actions as "selfish, arrogant and forceful."
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Defence forces member jailed for repeated rape of fellow soldier as judge finds he was 'significantly misled' over 'dedicated father' claims. Charges or matters: a total of six charges – two charges of rape, two charges of oral rape, a charge of anal rape and a charge of sexual assault. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- July 26, 2021 Incident
- 2025-01-20 Publication
Why: Counsel said it was "a complicated case for the jury" because at the outset the woman was consenting to some level of activity. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: a total of six charges – two charges of rape, two charges of oral rape, a charge of anal rape and a charge of sexual assault (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Photo: Collins) A member of the Defence Forces has been jailed for eight and a half years for the repeated rape of a fellow soldier, with the sentencing judge also finding that he had been "significantly misled" over material handed to the court claiming the defendant was a "dedicated father". Mr Justice Hunt set a headline sentence of nine and a half years which he applied as "a global sentence" for the offences Mooney had been convicted of by the jury.; He described those earlier testimonials in relation to Mooney being a good father as "a false prospectus" and a "gross overstatement" that his children will miss him if remanded in custody.
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