A rapist who advised his victim to report him to the Garda because he had "taken her dignity" has been jailed for 10 years by Mr Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court.
Liam Kenny (30), of St Columba's Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, was jailed for eight years in 1990 for the manslaughter of Church of Ireland rector Stephen Hilliard during a burglary at his home in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow. He was released in 1996. Kenny pleaded guilty to the false imprisonment and rape of a young woman on August 13th, 1999, after a night of heavy drinking and drugs during which they snorted "speed". He also pleaded guilty to having £10,000 worth of cannabis for supply.
Det Sgt Francis Sweeney said Kenny accused his victim of stealing a £20 note which they had used "to snort lines of speed". She said he could search her handbag but he became violent and beat her badly. He held a knife to her throat at one stage.
Det Sgt Sweeney told prosecuting counsel Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC that Kenny then stripped the woman and tied her hands together with bootlaces. He attempted both vaginal and anal intercourse and forced her to masturbate him.
The victim had made efforts to escape through a window and the front door even though naked but he dragged her back and beat her more. He then made her take two showers before leaving the house with her some hours later.
Det Sgt Sweeney said Kenny was arrested two days later and admitted his offences. The drugs were found in a search of his flat. Kenny had met the victim some hours earlier in a pub. She had spoken to him first because though she didn't know his name she knew him to see from a cafe in which she worked.
Det Sgt Sweeney agreed with defence counsel Mr Erwan Mill Arden SC that Kenny had not planned the rape which was opportunistic. He had walked down the street with his victim after releasing her and advised her she should go to the Garda.
Mr Mill Arden said the gratuitous violence he used shocked Kenny himself, for whom life seemed to be going well after his release from the manslaughter sentence.
His remorse was indicated by his advice to the victim to report him and the words he used that he had "taken her dignity".
Mr Mill Arden said Kenny had a difficult life but didn't offer that as an excuse. He had been in custody since his arrest.
Mr Justice Carney said he was bound by a recent decision in the Court of Criminal Appeal which raised a seven-year sentence he imposed on Robert Melia for raping four prostitutes to 12 years because he had a previous rape conviction.
Kenny had a previous manslaughter conviction and the gratuitous violence he inflicted on his victim amounted to torture.
Mr Justice Carney suspended the final 15 months because Kenny took proactive steps at an early stage to plead guilty and to leave a trial slot free for some other violent case.