Courts / Dublin / Report

Gang rapists argue sentences too long because of their youth at time of offence

Summary

Dion Genockey, Daryl Rooney, and Troy Ryan were each sentenced to nine, ten, and nine and a half years respectively for the gang rape of a vulnerable teenager at Dollymount Strand in 2016. The men, who were aged 17 at the time of the offence, were convicted following a second trial at the Central Criminal Court in March 2022. Genockey's senior counsel, Thomas O'Malley, opened an appeal against his nine-year sentence, arguing that the headline sentence of 15 years set by the trial judge was too high and that a reduction of 12 to 13 years would have been appropriate, considering Genockey's youth, good work record, and supportive family. O'Malley also contended that the reduction given to the initial headline term was inadequate. Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing SC, representing Rooney, adopted O'Malley's submissions and argued the judge was wrong not to consider suspending any portion of his client's sentence. John Berry SC, for Ryan, also adopted his colleagues' submissions and suggested the judge had made an error in not considering suspending some portion of the sentence for societal good. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Eilis Brennan SC, argued that the trial judge had given a carefully reasoned decision and that there was no evidential basis for suspending any portion of the sentences. The court has reserved judgment on the appeal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gang rapists argue sentences too long because of their youth at time of offence. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 5, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2026-05-08 Publication

Why: Photo: Collins) By Fiona Magennis Lawyers for three men who targeted a vulnerable teenager and lured her into a car before driving her to Dollymount Strand, where they gang raped her, have argued that they should have received shorter sentences because of their youth at the time. CNI source report

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Read the original CNI report