Ireland Case No. 18922Rape and sexual assault · Co. Galway · 5 Aug 2017
Court of Appeal dismisses appeals against rape and sexual assault convictions over Galway Races van incident
On August 5, 2017, a woman was raped and sexually assaulted in the back of a van at a car park in the harbour area of Galway city during the Galway Races. Karl Reilly (40), of Inny View, Aghara, Carrickboy, Co Longford, was charged with raping the woman, and Patrick McLoughlin (36) was charged with sexually assaulting her. Both men pleaded not guilty, and at the Central Criminal Court in November 2022 Reilly was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended and McLoughlin to five years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended. Both men appealed their convictions, arguing that an erroneous time-stamp on phone evidence affected their defence preparation, and on 8 December 2023 the Court of Appeal dismissed both appeals in their entirety.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced8 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two men were convicted of the rape and sexual assault of a woman in the back of a van during the Galway Races.
- Where
- The offences took place in the back of a van at a car park in the harbour area of Galway city.
- When
- The offences took place on August 5, 2017.
- Charges
- Karl Reilly was convicted of a single charge of raping the woman.
- Patrick McLoughlin was convicted of sexual assault of the woman in the back of the van.
- In court
- Both men pleaded not guilty and were tried at the Central Criminal Court, with sentences imposed in November 2022.
- On 8 December 2023 the Court of Appeal dismissed both men's conviction appeals in their entirety.
- Other details
- An application to sever the two men's trials was rejected by the trial judge, Ms Justice Ring.
- The men also argued on appeal that their trials should have been separated.
- Sentence
- Karl Reilly was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended.
- Patrick McLoughlin was sentenced to five years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended.
- Cause
- The men appealed their convictions, arguing that an erroneous time-stamp on phone evidence affected their defence preparation.
25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTwo men jailed over the rape and sexual assault of a woman have failed in their conviction appeals. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatTwo men were jailed over the rape and sexual assault of a woman in a van during the Galway Races. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe offences took place in the back of a van at a car park in the harbour area of Galway city. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe offences took place at a car park in the harbour area of Galway city. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe rape took place on August 5, 2017. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenReilly's rape offence occurred on 5 August 2017. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeThe appeal argued that an erroneous time-stamp on phone evidence affected the defence's preparation. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeKarl Reilly was convicted of a single charge of raping the woman. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargePatrick McLoughlin was convicted of a sole charge of sexual assault of the woman. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeReilly was convicted of a single charge of raping the woman. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeMcLoughlin was convicted of sexual assault of the woman in the back of the van. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtBoth men had pleaded not guilty to the charges. (longfordleader.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe trial was held at the Central Criminal Court in November of the previous year. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal dismissed the conviction appeals of both men. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal dismissed both appeals in their entirety. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe sentences were imposed at the Central Criminal Court in November 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe men appealed their convictions, arguing that an erroneous time-stamp on phone evidence affected their defence preparation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe men also argued that their trials should have been separated. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtOn 8 December 2023 the Court of Appeal dismissed the conviction appeals of both men. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceKarl Reilly was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentencePatrick McLoughlin was sentenced to five years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceReilly was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceMcLoughlin was sentenced to five years imprisonment with 18 months suspended. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherCounsel for Reilly argued that the two men's trial should have been separated. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe rejected application to sever the two men's trials was decided by the trial judge, Ms Justice Ring. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Dec2023Midlands men jailed for Galway Races van rape and sexual assault hear appeal outcome
Court of Appeal decision of 8 December 2023 dismissing both men's conviction appeals; sentences from the November 2022 Central Criminal Court sentencing are restated.
convicted, Karl Reilly, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Karl Reillyconvicted, Patrick McLoughlin, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick McLoughlinvictim, female - 8 Dec2023Longford men jailed over rape and sex assault of woman in Galway fail in their conviction appeals
The Court of Appeal dismissed both men's conviction appeals on Friday 8 December 2023, after their sentences were imposed following a Central Criminal Court trial in November of the previous year.
convicted, Karl Reilly, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Karl Reillyconvicted, Patrick McLoughlin, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick McLoughlinvictim, female