DUBLIN MAN who raped a 23 year old woman he met at a Christmas dance has been jailed for seven years by the Central Criminal Court.
Mr Justice Kinlen noted evidence that the defendant and the victim had been attracted to each other. On leaving the dance, they had gone to a quiet area to kiss and cuddle. The woman made it very clear that she did not want to cave sex, but the defendant had forced himself on her.
In a matter of minutes, reason went out the door and animal passions took over. This is a classic example of rape and the court must punish you. In a moment of
The you have ruined your life, 25 year old man pleaded guilty to committing the offence on December 16th-17th, 1994.
Mr Justice Kinlen listed the case for review on June 10th 1997. He ordered the defendant to attend Alcoholics Anonymous weekly in prison until then.
The judge emphasised that the man would not automatically get out of prison on the review date, but the court would consider putting him on a community service work regime.
In the defendant's favour, the judge took into account his early plea of guilty, his remorse and his previous good record. But he also had to consider that the legislature had put the crime of rape on are equal footing with murder, he said.
Sgt Gerard Wall agreed with prosecuting counsel, Ms Maureen Clark SC, that both the defendant and his victim had drink taken. They kissed after the dance, but the woman made it clear that she did not want to have sex. She contacted gardai after the rape and the defendant had been identified within days.
He went voluntarily to gardai and expressed remorse for what he had done. He had been "shaking with emotion" as he made his statement of admission.
The defendant was engaged to another woman and had never been in trouble before. This woman had undergone counselling and was "very resilient", the garda said.
Sgt Wall told Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, defending, chat it was his opinion that the defendant was unlikely to repeat the offence.