Courts / Dublin / Report
Rapist who was caught trying to strangle partner gets 10 years
Summary
Patrick Ward, 36, was jailed for 10 years after pleading guilty to raping his partner, Patricia McLaughlin, 41, in her apartment between 28 April and 4 May 2024. Gardaí arrested him on 21 May 2024 when he was found strangling her. McLaughlin, who wishes to remain unnamed, had previously reported fear of Ward and had lost her home and job due to the abuse. Ward, a registered sex offender with 98 prior convictions, had failed to notify authorities of his address change and had recently been released from prison. The judge reduced the headline sentence to 11½ years, suspended 18 months, and imposed strict conditions, including no contact with McLaughlin or her family for 40 years. Ward's plea of remorse and a positive prison report were considered mitigating factors. The case highlights the severity of intimate partner violence and the court's focus on rehabilitation and protection of the victim.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Rapist who was caught trying to strangle partner gets 10 years. Charges or matters: one count of raping the victim in her apartment on a date between April 28, and May 4, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 28 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 4, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 21, 2024 Incident
- 2025-07-14 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of raping the victim in her apartment on a date between April 28, and May 4, 2024 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She reduced the headline sentence to 11 and a half years, taking into account the mitigating features of the case including Ward's plea of guilty, admissions, the remorse which the judge said he has expressed in multiple ways and a positive report from the governor of the prison. The judge suspended the final 18 months of the sentence on strict conditions including that Ward engage with the Probation Service for 18 months and undergo any courses as recommended by them.
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