Wexford rapist living in Wicklow pleads guilty to breaching sex offender notification rules
The Wicklow PeopleA Wexford man who previously served a 14-year prison sentence for rape has pleaded guilty over failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements
John Connors (43), with an address at Burnaby Park, Greystones, County Wicklow, appeared at a sitting of Bray District Court charged with failing to comply with ongoing notification requirements, including an alleged failure to notify gardaí of required changes to personal details between January 5 and February 5, 2026.
The defendant was placed on the sexual offenders register for life.
Mr Connors, a native of Enniscorthy, County Wexford, was found guilty at trial in December 2008 at the Central Criminal Court of the rape of a woman in 2006 in County Waterford, while her two-year-old daughter was in the house.
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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.
Mr Connors received a 14-year sentence but was released in 2019.
Detective Sergeant Brian Shiggins stated last week that he was objecting to bail on the grounds that Mr Connors has a substantial bench warrant history.
Counsel for Mr Connors told the court that gardaí had also objected to bail at Arklow District Court in November last year, but he was released under the conditions that he stay out of Wicklow and remain of sober habits. Mr Connors spent a month on remand before being granted bail.
However, Det Sgt Shiggins noted that it was not his first time dealing with Mr Connors and that the accused was arrested at a garda station in Drogheda.
The defendant entered a plea of guilty on Monday, February 16.
Barrister for the accused, Conor Rubalcava, stated that his client cannot be prosecuted more than once for failing to notify gardaí.
Mr 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.
Mr Connors is charged with four separate counts.
Sergeant Mick Canavan told the court that he does hold the power to strike out three counts.
However, due to the “serious nature” of Mr Connors’ offending, a garda inspector is required.
Judge David Kennedy adjourned the matter until Thursday, February 19.