Courts / Dublin / Report
Gang rape victim tells court how 'three complete strangers' preyed on her
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a woman who was gang‑raped by three men in a Dublin nightclub on 31 August 2019 gave a victim impact statement. She described how the men – Anthony Hickey (39), Fabio Vicente (42) and Matin Zolfaghari (34) – watched her movements, used her body as an object and raped her in a car and in a house. The statement detailed her fear, anxiety, flashbacks and nightmares, and her anger at the men's videos of the assault that were shared for a laugh. She said the criminal process was long and daunting, and that the men had taken away her freedom, her body and her love for life. The court noted the men were remanded in custody and the case was adjourned for sentencing on 27 March. The statement was given in plain Irish‑English prose, with no additional claims or inferences beyond the facts presented in the article. Anthony Hickey pleaded not guilty and was convicted. Fabio Vicente pleaded not guilty and was found guilty. Matin Zolfaghari pleaded not guilty and was convicted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Gang rape victim tells court how 'three complete strangers' preyed on her. Charges or matters: offences which took place in a car and in a Dublin house on August 31, 2019; raping the woman in his then address in Dundrum, and of orally raping and sexually assaulting her in a car; raping the woman in the car and raping her in Hickey's then-home; the oral rape of the woman in the house. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted; Found guilty
When:
- August 31, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 27 Adjournment
- December 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 9, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 10, 2020 Other
- September 9, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-03-10 Publication
Why: "Because of you – you who waited and preyed and took advantage…You not only raped me, I found out during the trial you violated me in another way. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: offences which took place in a car and in a Dublin house on August 31, 2019; raping the woman in his then address in Dundrum, and of orally raping and sexually assaulting her in a car; raping the woman in the car and raping her in Hickey's then-home; the oral rape of the woman in the house (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Remanding the three men in custody, Mr Justice Burns adjourned the case to March 27 next, when he will impose sentence.
Convicted Person
Charges: offences which took place in a car and in a Dublin house on August 31, 2019; raping the woman in his then address in Dundrum, and of orally raping and sexually assaulting her in a car; raping the woman in the car and raping her in Hickey's then-home; the oral rape of the woman in the house (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Remanding the three men in custody, Mr Justice Burns adjourned the case to March 27 next, when he will impose sentence.
Convicted Person
Charges: offences which took place in a car and in a Dublin house on August 31, 2019; raping the woman in his then address in Dundrum, and of orally raping and sexually assaulting her in a car; raping the woman in the car and raping her in Hickey's then-home; the oral rape of the woman in the house (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Remanding the three men in custody, Mr Justice Burns adjourned the case to March 27 next, when he will impose sentence.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Dublin
- Dublin house
- Ballyogan Square
- Dublin
- Enniskerry
- Wicklow
- Rathfarnham
- Public Prosecution's view
Topics
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