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Spanish tourist raped in Dublin city centre wants to meet her attacker
Summary
A Spanish tourist, aged 19 at the time, was raped in Dublin city centre on New Year's Eve 2019. The victim, who has since expressed a desire to meet her attacker in a safe space, said she wants to confront him about his cruelty and to see him acknowledge his wrongdoing. Christopher O'Grady, 33, was found guilty of one count of rape in March 2025. He has 65 prior convictions and was homeless during the offence. The victim's impact statement described lasting trauma, including loss of confidence, fear of walking alone at night, and hypervigilance. O'Grady has admitted guilt and wishes to apologise. Both parties have agreed to consider restorative justice, but the court noted that this does not preclude a custodial sentence. The case was adjourned to July 24 for the prosecution to investigate the restorative justice option. The trial also covered the victim's subsequent encounter with a second man, who was not charged.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Spanish tourist raped in Dublin city centre wants to meet her attacker. Charges or matters: one count of raping the then 19-year-old woman on January 1, 2019 following a trial last March. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- January 1, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 24 Adjournment
- August 2024 Incident
- New Year's Eve Incident
- 2025-07-01 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: one count of raping the then 19-year-old woman on January 1, 2019 following a trial last March (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; After some consultation with both O'Grady and the complainant, the court was told that they are both willing to engage in restorative justice. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs warned O'Grady that this does not mean he will not be serving a custodial sentence for his offending.; Ms Justice Biggs adjourned the case to July 24 to give the prosecution time to look into the issue.
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