Man convicted of raping wife remanded for sentencing

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

An unnamed 53-year-old convicted of raping his wife at the Central Criminal Court was remanded in custody until 16 November 2015 for sentencing. His conviction followed a four-day trial in July 2015, and he had remained in custody afterwards. The proceedings were reported on 19 October 2015.

He pleaded not guilty to rape and false imprisonment. The charges related to his wife at her home in County Wexford in 2011. On 13 October 2011, he contacted her by phone and text seeking permission to visit. She refused his request but subsequently allowed him into the house, the report said.

Garda Cliona Joyce told Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy of the woman's wish that her husband spend no further time in prison. The woman had also declined to give a victim impact statement. Defence counsel John Peart SC characterised her forgiveness as highly unusual and sought consideration of it in sentencing. He also raised possible cultural differences concerning what behaviour was tolerated in different countries.

John Peart SC proposed that his client serve his sentence in Poland. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy sought clarification from the DPP about how likely the Minister for Justice would be to approve such an application. The judge wanted that information available when deciding the sentence.