Courts / Ireland / Report

Court rules that 20-year-old who raped girlfriend as teen cannot be identified

Summary

A court has ruled that a now 20-year-old man who raped his then girlfriend when they were both teenagers cannot be identified, despite the State's objections. The defendant, who was 16 at the time of the offence, was convicted of rape but acquitted of sexual assault. The court heard that the victim was visibly distressed and crying when she was dragged to the toilet by the defendant. The defendant denied the rape and claimed the sexual activity was consensual. The court imposed a custodial sentence of three and a half years, with the final year suspended for two years. The judge noted the defendant's disregard for the victim's lack of consent and placed him under probation supervision and on the sex offenders register. The court also made a Gilchrist order to prevent the publication of any details that might identify the defendant, citing a culpable delay in charging him as a child. The unnamed 20-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Court rules that 20-year-old who raped girlfriend as teen cannot be identified. Charges or matters: rape and sexual assault. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

• November 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• August 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• November 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2026-04-24 Publication

Why: A court has ordered that a now 20-year-old man who raped his then girlfriend when they were both teenagers cannot be named because of an alleged delay in charging him, despite the objections of the State. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report