Courts / Limerick / Report

Detention for boys who raped teenage girl at racecourse

Date
2025-06-05
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Limerick
County
Limerick

Summary

Two 13‑ and 15‑year‑old boys were sentenced to six years' detention for raping a 16‑year‑old girl in a car at Limerick Racecourse. A third defendant, now 18, who aided the rapes by moving the car, received three and a half years' jail. The judge noted the boys' lack of remorse and their juvenile status under the Children Act, and suspended the final 18 months of each sentence on conditions including participation in sexual offending programmes and no contact with the victim. The victim, who was intoxicated and had never had sexual intercourse before, was described as having been repeatedly told "no" and suffering extensive bleeding and bruising. The boys denied the rapes, claiming consensual encounters, but the jury found them guilty. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court in Cork. The sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences and the boys' ages at the time of the crime. The unnamed 16-year-old was acquitted.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Detention for boys who raped teenage girl at racecourse. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted

When:

Why: The court heard she agreed to go for a walk with one of the boys because she wanted to kiss him. Court evidence reported by CNI

Case subjects

Unnamed 16-year-old

Defendant

Finding: Acquitted

Outcome: Acquitted; Two boys who raped a teenage girl in a car at Limerick Racecourse when they were aged just 13 and 15 years old have each been sentenced to six years in detention. Mr Justice McDermott sentenced the two rapists to a sentence of seven and a half years detention, with the final 18 months suspended on a number of conditions, including that they engage in sexual offending programmes and have no contact whatsoever with the complainant.; The case was previously adjourned for a number of weeks for preparation of probation reports.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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