Courts / Ireland / Report

Rapist claimed apologies were for 'poor sexual performance'

Date
2026-06-17
Stage
Sentence

Summary

A man who claimed that his apologies after raping his girlfriend at work were for "poor sexual performance and breaching workplace rules" rather than for sexual assault has been jailed for five years. The 29-year-old defendant, who cannot be identified to protect the victim's anonymity, was convicted by a jury at a third trial in the Central Criminal Court of raping the woman in January 2020. The court heard that the couple were in the early stages of a romantic relationship, and the victim had not felt ready for a sexual relationship. The accused man locked the door of a shower cubicle and raped her after she returned to work. The victim later confided in a colleague and gardai were called. The defendant made admissions to a colleague and was arrested. He later claimed that his apologies were for poor sexual performance and breaching workplace rules. The victim described the adverse effects on her physical and mental health and relationships.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rapist claimed apologies were for 'poor sexual performance'. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed 29-year-old

Convicted Person

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; A man who claimed that apologies he made after raping his girlfriend in work were for "poor sexual performance and breaching workplace rules" rather than for sexual assault has been jailed for five years. Mr Justice Burns imposed a six-year sentence and suspended the final year for three years on condition that the defendant complies with any courses or therapy recommended by the Probation Service.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request