Courts / Kerry / Report
Serial sex predator was on bail when he strangled and repeatedly raped woman
Summary
Martin Burke, 28, of Ballinorig Estate, Tralee, was on bail when he strangled a woman at 3 am on 18 December 2022 and then repeatedly raped her. He pleaded guilty to four counts – rape, oral rape, anal rape and sexual assault – and was sentenced by the Central Criminal Court to 17 years, with the final two years suspended. The sentence was reduced from an initial headline of 22 years after mitigation. Burke is to remain under Probation Services supervision for five years post‑release, must keep the peace and be of good behaviour, and is prohibited from any contact with the victim. The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, described the attack as an unspeakable ordeal and expressed ongoing fear and trauma. The judge noted Burke's history of 17 prior convictions and that he was on bail for similar offences at the time of the attack.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Serial sex predator was on bail when he strangled and repeatedly raped woman. Charges or matters: four counts, which included rape, oral rape, anal rape and sexual assault at a location in Tralee on December 18, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 18, 2022 Incident
- January 2023 Incident
- Christmas Incident
- 2025-02-14 Publication
Why: She said she did nothing wrong that night because she knew Burke. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: four counts, which included rape, oral rape, anal rape and sexual assault at a location in Tralee on December 18, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Martin Burke (28), formally of Ballinorig Estate, Tralee, Co Kerry, was today handed a 17 year sentence, with the final two years suspended. He suspended the final two years of the sentence under strict conditions including that Burke keep the peace and be of good behaviour from today and for the remainder of his life.
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