Courts / Dublin / Report
Court upholds former Defence Force member's conviction for raping fellow soldier
Summary
The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of Kielan Mooney for the repeated rape of a fellow soldier at a Dublin hotel in 2021. Mooney was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. He had appealed his conviction, arguing that a recording of the victim's distressed 999 call should not have been admitted at trial. The court rejected this argument, stating that the call was relevant and probative evidence. The victim, a serving soldier, had indicated she did not wish to be identified. The trial heard that Mooney had anal and oral raped the woman, and that she had to call for help after the incident. The court noted that the victim's distress was a matter before the jury, and that the reason for her distress was relevant to the case. The appeal was dismissed, and the conviction was upheld. The court emphasized that the probative value of the evidence outweighed its prejudicial effect. Kielan Mooney pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court upholds former Defence Force member's conviction for raping fellow soldier. Charges or matters: a total of six charges – two charges of rape, two charges of oral rape, a charge of anal rape and a charge of sexual assault. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- December 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 26, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2026-07-28 Publication
Why: However Patrick Gageby SC, for the State, said it was a paradox to suggest that because there was distress in the case and that wasn't in issue, that the 999 call was somehow inadmissible. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: a total of six charges – two charges of rape, two charges of oral rape, a charge of anal rape and a charge of sexual assault (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; He was jailed for eight and a half years by Mr Justice Tony Hunt in January the following year.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Central Criminal Court
- Bloomfield Park
Topics
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