Wexford rapist living in Wicklow jailed for breaching sex offender notification rules
The Wicklow PeopleA Wexford man previously jailed for a “heinous” rape has been sentenced to 11 months in prison after failing to comply with his sex offender notification obligations
John Connors (43), with an address at Burnaby Park, Greystones, County Wicklow, appeared at a sitting of Bray District Court for sentencing last week.
He was charged with four counts of failing to comply with ongoing notification requirements, including a failure to notify gardaí of required changes to personal details between January 5 and February 5, 2026.
Mr Connors, who is originally from Enniscorthy, County Wexford, had been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely in 2008, after being found guilty of the rape of a woman in 2006 in County Waterford, while her two-year-old daughter was in the house.
He had entered a plea of not guilty, but was convicted following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
Mr Connors and his co-accused called to the victim’s door, asking if she wanted to buy a camcorder, before she was pushed into her home and punched by his co-accused.
The victim was pushed onto a bed and had a piece of rope tied around her neck. Mr Connors and his co-accused took turns raping her.
The court heard in 2008 that the mother refused to make any noise because she knew her child was in the living room.
The duo threatened the victim not to tell anybody what had happened before leaving her home.
Mr Justice George Bermingham said in 2008 that the case was “really quite shocking”, adding that the defendants showed no remorse.
He noted that the violent attack took place in the victim’s home, where she should have felt safest.
He further directed that the men undergo 10 years of post-release supervision.
For his part, Mr Connors received a 14-year sentence, but he was released in 2019 after serving 11 years.
Upon his release, he returned to Wexford, where up to 100 protesters gathered outside a property linked to him.
They chanted slogans demanding he leave the area. Gardaí arrived and dispersed the crowd, with Mr Connors being removed from the area in a garda van.
At a previous sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court this month, counsel for the accused, Connor Rubalcava, argued that under Section 12(2) of the Sex Offenders Act 2001, a person cannot be prosecuted more than once for the same failure to comply with notification requirements.
At the latest sitting, Garda Inspector Ronan Quinn of Bray Garda Station told the court that the indictment would be amended to a single charge, combining the four counts into one covering the entire month of February.
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Penalties for failing to notify include up to 12 months’ imprisonment or a €4,000 fine.
Counsel for the defence provided background on his client since his release from prison. The court heard that Mr Connors is homeless and spends time in Greystones and Ashbourne, Co Meath.
“With the lifestyle he lives, he is either between Greystones or Ashbourne,” said Mr Rubalcava.
Mr Connors notifies gardaí whenever he comes across one, the court was told.
Mr Rubalcava alleged that his client instructed him that whenever he goes to sign on, gardaí “mistreat him”.
The court heard that when Mr Connors was convicted, he lost his family and has not seen his children since his imprisonment.
Mr Rubalcava asked that if a sentence were imposed, it be a strict suspended sentence, given his circumstances, including that he does not take drugs or alcohol.
“The only issue he has is that he is of no fixed abode,” said Mr Rubalcava.
The court was also told that Mr Connors has no friends or routine, but would like to return to Greystones for “one last chance”.
Inspector Quinn reminded Bray District Court that Mr Connors has previous convictions for failing to notify gardaí of his whereabouts and has 72 other previous convictions.
Judge David Kennedy remarked on the “heinous” nature of Mr Connors’ previous sexual offending, before sentencing him to 11 months imprisonment.
Mr Rubalcava requested that the recognisance be fixed. Judge Kennedy set it at €1,000, with half needed in cash.
A recognisance is a formal undertaking to the court, usually required when lodging an appeal.
It means the appellant agrees to proceed with the appeal and appear before the court when required, with the €1,000 liable to be forfeited if they fail to comply.
“Mr Connors has a right to appeal,” added Mr Rubalcava.
The accused is in receipt of €250 per week in social welfare and it was heard that family members will assist him in raising the funds.