Ireland Case No. 0485Rape, oral rape, anal rape, sexual assault · Co. Dublin · 26 Jul 2021
Conviction upheld for rape of fellow soldier at Dublin hotel
On 26 July 2021, Kielan Mooney, a 30-year-old man serving in the Irish Defence Forces, anally raped, orally raped and raped a 24-year-old woman, also a serving soldier, in a friend's hotel room in Dublin city centre. He was arrested by arrangement the month after the incident and pleaded not guilty to six charges, of which a jury at the Central Criminal Court convicted him of anal rape, oral rape and rape in December 2024. Justice Tony Hunt sentenced him to eight and a half years' imprisonment in January 2025. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal in July 2026, upholding the conviction.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted17 Dec
7 reports - Sentenced20 Jan
5 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The victim is a 24-year-old woman and serving soldier in the Irish Defence Forces.
- Mooney is a 30-year-old man, a member of the Irish Defence Forces based at Finner Camp with the 28th Infantry Battalion, from Bloomfield Park, Derry.
- The woman was socialising with army officers when she met soldiers from Mooney's barracks, and she asked Mooney to stop but he did not.
- Mooney anally raped, orally raped and raped the woman in a friend's hotel room.
- Where
- The offence took place in a friend's hotel room in Dublin city centre.
- When
- The incident occurred on 26 July 2021.
- Investigation
- Mooney was arrested by arrangement the month after the incident.
- Charges
- Mooney pleaded not guilty to six charges: two of rape, two of oral rape, one of anal rape and one of sexual assault.
- In court
- A jury at the Central Criminal Court convicted Mooney of anal rape, oral rape and rape in December 2024, failing to reach a verdict on three remaining charges.
- The Court of Appeal dismissed Mooney's appeal in July 2026, upholding the conviction.
- Sentence
- Justice Tony Hunt sentenced Mooney to eight and a half years' imprisonment in January 2025, with a two-year post-release supervision order, backdated to December 2024.
- Other details
- Mooney is a father of five children aged three to twelve, and two women with children by him contacted the DPP to rebut his fatherhood mitigation.
124 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMooney is a member of the Irish Defence Forces (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman was out socialising with other army officers that night (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe asked him to stop but he did not (irishtimes.com)
- whatMooney forced the woman to perform oral sex on him (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe pushed her onto the bed and raped her (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe two men forced Mooney out of the room and gardaí were called (irishtimes.com)
- whatMooney claimed there had been no anal sex and that other sexual activity was consensual (irishtimes.com, dublinlive.ie)
- whatShe said that night changed her life (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe struggled with her mental health and could not perform her work duties (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe had been nominated for a course that would have meant a promotion but was unable to participate (irishtimes.com)
- whatKielan Mooney was convicted of anal rape, oral rape, and rape of a fellow soldier at a Dublin hotel (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim is a 24-year-old serving soldier in the Irish Defence Forces (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatMooney pushed the woman onto the bed and raped her (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMooney claimed there was no anal sex and that other sexual activity was consensual (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman struggled with her mental health in the aftermath of the rape (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMooney was jailed for eight and a half years for the rape of a fellow soldier at a Dublin hotel. (rte.ie)
- whatKielan Mooney was jailed for rape of a fellow soldier. (donegallive.ie)
- whatMooney then forced the woman to perform oral sex on him before pushing her onto the bed and raping her (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman's friend and two male friends arrived and forced Mooney out of the room, after which gardaí were called (irishtimes.com)
- whatMooney was convicted of anal rape, oral rape and rape of the woman at a Dublin hotel on 26 July 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe had pleaded not guilty to six charges: two rape, two oral rape, one anal rape and one sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim is a 24-year-old woman who is also a serving soldier in the Irish Defence Forces. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe then forced her to perform oral sex and pushed her onto the bed and raped her. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMooney claimed there had been no anal sex and that whatever other sexual activity had occurred was consensual. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo women contacted the DPP to rebut evidence that Mooney was a dedicated father. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe women said Mooney has not seen his children and does not pay maintenance. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe woman said the rape impacted her work and she was unable to participate in a course that would have meant a promotion. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKielan Mooney was convicted at the Central Criminal Court on a count of anal rape, oral rape and rape (dublinlive.ie)
- whatMooney is a father of five children aged three to twelve (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe woman was socialising with army members when she met soldiers from Mooney's barracks in Donegal (dublinlive.ie)
- whatMooney anally raped the woman in her friend's hotel room and she asked him to stop but he did not (dublinlive.ie)
- whatMooney then forced the woman to perform oral sex before pushing her onto the bed and raping her (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe woman said she was unable to participate in a promotion course due to the impact of the rape (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe Court of Appeal upheld a former Defence Force member's conviction for the repeated rape of a fellow soldier. (thejournal.ie, donegallive.ie)
- whatThe victim is in her 20s and a serving soldier of the Defence Forces (irishtimes.com)
- whatMooney forced the woman to perform oral sex on him before pushing her onto the bed and raping her (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe rape took place at a Dublin hotel. (rte.ie)
- whereThe offence took place at a hotel in Dublin city centre. (thejournal.ie)
- whereMooney is from Bloomfield Park, Derry (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe woman said Mooney raped her in her friend's hotel room. (rte.ie)
- whereThe rape took place at a hotel in Dublin. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe rape took place in a friend's hotel room in Dublin city centre (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe rape occurred at a hotel in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe rape occurred at a Dublin hotel. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at a Dublin hotel (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe rape occurred on 26 July 2021. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 26 July 2021 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe offence took place on 26 July 2021. (donegallive.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whenThe rape occurred on July 26, 2021. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe 999 call was made at 1.38am (irishtimes.com)
- causeMooney's defence suggested alcohol was a catalyst for the offence. (rte.ie)
- investigationMooney was arrested by arrangement the month after the incident. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationMooney was arrested by arrangement the month after the offence. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationMooney was described as fully co-operative with gardaí. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationMooney was arrested by arrangement the following month (irishtimes.com, donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationMooney appealed his conviction, arguing that a 999 call recording made by the complainant should not have been admitted at trial. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe woman's friend and two male friends forced Mooney out of the room and gardaí were called (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMooney had pleaded not guilty to six charges of rape and sexual assault. (rte.ie)
- chargeThe jury failed to reach a verdict on three charges. (rte.ie)
- chargeMooney had pleaded not guilty to six charges. (thejournal.ie, donegallive.ie)
- chargeHe was convicted of rape, anal rape, and oral rape (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe pleaded not guilty to six charges: two rape, two oral rape, one anal rape, one sexual assault (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMooney pleaded not guilty to six charges: two of rape, two of oral rape, one of anal rape, and one of sexual assault (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeAt trial Mooney pleaded not guilty to six charges of rape and sexual assault and was found guilty on three. (rte.ie)
- chargeMooney had pleaded not guilty to six charges: two of rape, two of oral rape, one of anal rape and one of sexual assault (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeMooney was convicted of anal rape, oral rape and rape (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMooney pleaded not guilty to six charges: two rape, two oral rape, one anal rape, one sexual assault (irishtimes.com)
- courtMooney was convicted after a trial at the Central Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
- courtMooney was remanded in continuing custody and the case was adjourned to 20 January for sentence. (rte.ie)
- courtMooney was convicted after a trial at the Central Criminal Court earlier in December 2024. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe jury failed to reach a verdict on three of the charges. (thejournal.ie, donegallive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtThe victim read a victim impact statement into the record. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe jury failed to reach a verdict on three remaining charges (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe woman read her victim impact statement into the record (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt remanded Mooney in continuing custody (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was adjourned to 20 January for sentence (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury failed to reach a verdict on three of the six charges (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- courtJustice Tony Hunt remanded Mooney in continuing custody and adjourned sentencing to 20 January (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMooney was convicted after a trial at the Central Criminal Court in December. (donegallive.ie)
- courtMooney was convicted following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in December 2024 (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- courtThe sentencing was carried out by Mr Justice Tony Hunt (dublinlive.ie)
- courtPresiding judge Ms Justice Tara Burns dismissed the appeal. (thejournal.ie)
- courtKielan Mooney was convicted following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in December 2024. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal ruled that the 999 call was admissible and dismissed the appeal. (donegallive.ie)
- courtMooney was convicted at the Central Criminal Court in December 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- courtMooney argued the 999 call recording should not have been admitted at trial (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMooney will be sentenced in January. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceMooney was remanded in continuing custody and sentencing was adjourned to 20 January. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe judge declined to suspend any part of the sentence and ordered two years' supervision after release. (rte.ie)
- sentenceMr Justice Tony Hunt imposed a jail term of eight and a half years. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceA two-year post-release supervision order was also imposed. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe jail term was backdated to when Mooney first went into custody in December. (donegallive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMooney was sentenced to 8½ years' imprisonment (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceA two-year post-release supervision order was imposed (irishtimes.com, dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceMr Justice Hunt set a headline sentence of nine and a half years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe imposed a jail term of eight and a half years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe also imposed a two-year post-release supervision order. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe jail term was backdated to when Mooney first went into custody last December. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMooney was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison (dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceThe jail term was backdated to when Mooney first went into custody in December 2024 (dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceJustice Hunt set a headline sentence of nine and a half years before reducing it (dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceMooney was jailed for eight and a half years by Mr Justice Tony Hunt in January 2025. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceMooney was jailed for eight and a half years by Mr Justice Tony Hunt. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceMooney was jailed for 8½ years by Judge Tony Hunt in January 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe woman told the trial that Mooney raped her in her friend's hotel room. (rte.ie)
- otherMooney claimed there had been no anal sex and said other sexual activity was consensual. (rte.ie)
- otherThe defence said Mooney's career with the army is effectively over. (rte.ie)
- otherThe defence said Mooney has basically no previous convictions. (rte.ie)
- otherMooney is a father of five children. (rte.ie)
- otherMooney claimed there had been no anal sex and said any other sexual activity was consensual. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe victim is a serving member of the Irish Defence Forces. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherMooney is a father of five children aged three to 12 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMooney has no previous convictions (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe woman was nominated for a promotion course but was unable to participate (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim is a 24-year-old serving soldier in the Defence Forces. (rte.ie)
- otherMooney has five children. (rte.ie)
- otherThe woman is a serving soldier in the Irish Defence Forces and is now 24. (donegallive.ie)
- otherMooney was based at Finner Camp with the 28th Infantry Battalion. (donegallive.ie)
- otherMooney is a father of five (irishtimes.com)
- otherTwo women who each have two children with Mooney contacted the DPP to rebut his fatherhood mitigation (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim stated she struggled with her mental health in the aftermath of the rape (irishtimes.com)
- otherMooney is a father of five children ranging in age from three to 12. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMooney appealed his conviction, arguing that a recording of a 999 call made by the complainant should not have been admitted at trial. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe victim is in her 20s and is a serving soldier of the Irish Defence Forces. (thejournal.ie, donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Jul2026Defence Forces member has appeal for rape of fellow soldier dismissed
The Court of Appeal dismissed Mooney's appeal, upholding his conviction and 8½-year sentence. Judge Tara Burns found the 999 call had probative value as the reason for the victim's distress was in issue. The jury had failed to reach a verdict on three of the six charges.
victim, 20s, femaleconvicted, Kielan Mooney, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kielan Mooney - 28 Jul2026Former Donegal-based soldier's conviction for rape of colleague upheld
Reports that the Court of Appeal dismissed Mooney's appeal against his conviction, which was for rape, oral rape, anal rape and sexual assault. The appeal concerned the admission of a 999 call recording made by the complainant.
convicted, Kielan Mooney, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kielan Mooneyvictim, 20s, female - 1 Jul2026Conviction of former Defence Force member for raping fellow soldier is upheld after appeal
Reports the Court of Appeal dismissing Mooney's appeal against his conviction, which concerned the admissibility of the complainant's 999 call recording at trial.
convicted, Kielan Mooney, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kielan Mooneyvictim, 20s, female - 20 Jan2025Defence Forces man jailed for over 8 years for rape of soldier in Dublin hotel
Sentencing report: 8.5-year custodial sentence (headline 9.5 years reduced by 1 year due to 'false prospectus' mitigation), 2-year post-release supervision order, backdated to December 2024 custody. Jury convicted on one count of anal rape, oral rape and rape; failed to reach verdict on three of six charges.
victim, 24, female, irish (judged from name)convicted, Kielan Mooney, 30, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Kielan Mooney - 20 Jan2025Irish Defence Forces member jailed for over 8 years for rape of fellow soldier
Sentencing hearing on 20 January 2025; conviction followed a trial at the Central Criminal Court in December 2024. The jury convicted on three of six charges and failed to reach a verdict on the remaining three. The judge reduced the headline sentence by one year rather than two after two mothers of Mooney's children rebutted the 'dedicated father' mitigation.
victim, 24, femaleconvicted, Kielan Mooney, 30, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Kielan Mooney - 20 Jan2025Defence Forces member jailed for 8½ years for rape of fellow soldier at Dublin hotel
Full sentencing details including Justice Hunt's comments on the 'false prospectus' mitigation, the two-year post-release supervision order, the victim's impact statement, and evidence from two women with children by Mooney rebutting his fatherhood mitigation.
victim, 24, female, irish (judged from name)convicted, Kielan Mooney, 30, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Kielan Mooney - 20 Jan2025Donegal-stationed Defence Forces member jailed for rape of fellow soldier
Reports the sentencing on 20 January 2025: an eight and a half year jail term backdated to December 2024, a two-year post-release supervision order, and the judge's remarks, including that Mooney's character evidence was a 'false prospectus'.
convicted, Kielan Mooney, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kielan Mooneyvictim, 24, female - 20 Jan2025Defence Forces member jailed over rape of fellow soldier
Reports the sentence of eight and a half years handed down on 20 January 2025, with no suspended portion, and the court's concern about testimonials given in mitigation. Two former partners said Mooney was not a good father, and the judge said he had been significantly misled.
victim, 24, femaleconvicted, Kielan Mooney, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kielan Mooney - 18 Dec2024Irish Defence Forces member to be sentenced for rape of fellow soldier at hotel
Sentencing hearing: Mooney remanded in continuing custody, case adjourned to 20 January 2025 for sentence. Victim impact statement read into the record. Defence counsel acknowledged criminal liability and submitted Mooney was intoxicated. Three of six charges resulted in no verdict from the jury.
victim, 24, femaleconvicted, Kielan Mooney, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kielan Mooney - 17 Dec2024Defence Forces member to be sentenced next month for rape of fellow soldier in Dublin hotel
Provides detailed account of trial testimony, the victim impact statement, and confirms the sentencing date of 20 January 2025.
victim, 24, femaleconvicted, Kielan Mooney, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kielan Mooney - 17 Dec2024Member of the Irish Defence Forces to be sentenced for the rape of a fellow soldier at a hotel
Pre-sentence report: covers the December 2024 conviction, the jury's failure to reach verdicts on three charges, the victim impact statement, and the adjournment of sentencing to 20 January 2025.
victim, 24, femaleconvicted, Kielan Mooney, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kielan Mooney - 17 Dec2024Defence Forces member to be sentenced for rape
Reports the December 2024 conviction after trial, the jury's failure to reach verdicts on three charges, the adjournment for sentence to 20 January, and mitigation arguments and a victim impact statement made before sentencing.
victim, 24, femaleconvicted, Kielan Mooney, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kielan Mooney