Six year sentence for rape committed in house in County Galway town

A man who raped his former partner in a town in County Galway while her young baby lay asleep beside her has been jailed for six years.

The Central Criminal Court heard that the now 41-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the woman’s identity, had been in a relationship previously with the complainant.

In August this year, the accused was found guilty of one count of rape which occurred on November 17, 2019

Passing sentence yesterday (mon) Ms Justice Karen O’Connor said the woman was violated in her family home, a place where she should have been safe

She noted that the woman was vulnerable at the time, as she had been suffering with significant mental health issues – a fact the accused man was aware of.

The Judge acknowledged that the man had a difficult background himself as he came to Ireland as an asylum seeker

The court heard a character reference from the man’s wife saying that after one month of dating, he told her about the charges against him.

She stated our relationship is filled with love and laughter and added that due to his strict bail conditions, he could not travel to his home in Pakistan to see his family.