The Central Criminal Court has withdrawn a condition to a six-year prison sentence imposed on a man who raped his girlfriend and who now wants to serve the remainder of the sentence in an English jail.
John Joe Hubbock, an Englishman, with an address at Prusselstown, Athy, Co Kildare, was sentenced in March by Mr Justice Einlen at the Central Criminal Court. The judge had directed the case be re-entered after 3 1/2 years.
Mr Justice Einlen said the review did not mean Hubbock would be released but the court had a duty not merely to punish but also make efforts towards rehabilitation.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Einlen said he understood Hubbock wanted to serve the remainder of his sentence in England but that there was a condition attached to the sentence. Mr Joseph Mathews SC, for the State, said removing the condition was a matter for the discretion of the court.
Mr Justice Kinlen said he would remove the condition that the sentence be reviewed. He would let the original order stand as apparently the English authorities would not accept a transfer unless he removed the review.