Courts / Ireland / Report
Youth who was 'not prepared to accept girl's refusal of consent' jailed for defilement
Summary
A 20‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to defilement after engaging in sexual activity with a 15‑year‑old girl in Co. Westmeath on 25 September 2021. The girl repeatedly said "No" but later gave "OK", and the defendant continued to have sex against her will. She reported the incident to Gardaí in October, after the defendant was arrested in May 2022 and denied the allegations. The court heard the victim's impact statement, detailing ongoing physical, emotional and educational harm. Mr Justice Paul McDermot noted the defendant's persistent refusal to accept responsibility and imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending 20 months on strict conditions, including probation, treatment programmes and no contact with the victim or her family. The defendant's letter of remorse was considered late in the process. The case was adjourned for updated reports. The defendant had no prior convictions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Youth who was 'not prepared to accept girl's refusal of consent' jailed for defilement. Charges or matters: engaging in a sexual act with a child in Co Westmeath on September 25, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 25, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2022 Incident
- 2025-02-17 Publication
Why: She said she felt scared because she didn't really want to do it. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: engaging in a sexual act with a child in Co Westmeath on September 25, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A young man who was "not prepared to accept" a teenage girl's refusal of consent and "continued to have sex with her against her will" has been jailed for defilement. The judge imposed a sentence of three years but suspended the final 20 months on strict conditions including that the defendant engage with the Probation Service for two years and undergo any suitable programmes as directed by them and attend any psychiatric or psychological services.; The case was adjourned after evidence was heard last October to allow for the preparation of updated reports.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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