Rape conviction appeal rejected; Ward’s 18-year sentence includes one year suspended

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

Dean Ward’s appeal against his convictions, including rape, was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on Friday, December 12, 2025. Ward, 38, was convicted of 12 offences committed between June 11 and July 17, 2019, and continues to maintain his innocence.

The Central Criminal Court imposed an 18-year headline sentence for the most serious rape offence, suspending the final year on condition Ward obey the Probation Service’s instructions after his release. The court also imposed a concurrent four-year term for coercive control; the other sentences run concurrently. Ward remains in prison.

Ward argued that evidence about Ms O’Neill’s fear that he had previously tried to kill her, money moved between her bank accounts and the effects of his abuse was prejudicial. Mr Justice John Edwards ruled that her evidence about her belief, fear and its effects was properly admitted and relevant, and dismissed the appeal.