Courts / Dublin / Report

Criminal who raped partner and threatened to gouge her eyeball out gets nine years

Date
2026-02-23
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A 36-year-old man who raped his former partner in a hotel room and threatened to gouge her eyeball out with a spoon has been jailed for nine years. The Central Criminal Court heard that the victim was left fearing for her life. The man was convicted of sexual assault, rape, and threats to kill the woman at a Dublin hotel. He has over 70 previous convictions, but no prior sexual offence convictions. Mr Justice Paul Burns noted the intimate relationship between the pair was an aggravating factor and described the rape as 'appalling'. He imposed a headline sentence of 11 years, but suspended the final year for three years on condition the man remains under probation and undertakes recommended courses. The victim described how the crimes changed her life and left her in fear for her life. The man denied all offending at interview and initially claimed they had not had sex in the hotel. In her victim impact statement, the woman said she had washed her skin with bleach and was terrified to socialise.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Criminal who raped partner and threatened to gouge her eyeball out gets nine years. Charges or matters: sexual assault of the woman at his home on February 7, 2022 as well as rape, sexual assault and threats to kill the woman at a Dublin hotel 11 days later. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed 36-year-old

Convicted Person

Charges: sexual assault of the woman at his home on February 7, 2022 as well as rape, sexual assault and threats to kill the woman at a Dublin hotel 11 days later (Proven)

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; A criminal who raped his terrified then-partner in a hotel room and threatened to gouge her eyeball out with a spoon has been jailed for nine years. Mr Justice Burns set a headline sentence of 11 years' imprisonment, but taking into account the mitigating and personal circumstances of the man, he imposed 10 years' imprisonment with the final year suspended for three years.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • The Central Criminal Court
Incident
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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