Dublin gang rape trio appeal convictions and sentences
Three men raped and sexually assaulted a woman, identified as Kate, they met in a Dublin nightclub on 31 August 2019, with the offences taking place in a car and in a house in Dundrum. Anthony Hickey, a man aged 39, Fabio Vicente, a man aged 42, and Matin Zolfaghari, a man aged 34, were convicted in February 2025 and sentenced in March 2025 to 16, 16 and 14 years respectively with the final year suspended. All three have lodged appeals against their convictions and sentences. The Court of Appeal heard the appeals in October 2026, with judgment reserved.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court20 Jan
9 reports - Convicted5 Feb
9 reports - Sentenced27 Mar
6 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Three men raped and sexually assaulted a woman they met in a Dublin nightclub on 31 August 2019.
- The third man recorded two video clips of the assault, one 30 seconds and one six seconds, and shared them in a WhatsApp group chat, describing it as a 'locker room chat' sent 'for a laugh'.
- The woman said she was raped twice in the car and believed she was drugged after her housemate left the nightclub at 1am.
- Where
- The offences took place in a car and in a house in Dundrum, Dublin.
- Investigation
- Gardaí reviewed around 160 hours of CCTV to identify the men and a Volkswagen Touareg SUV, and seized phones and the vehicle in December 2019.
- Charges
- The three men pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault.
- In court
- The jury at the Central Criminal Court returned guilty verdicts on six of seven charges by an 11-1 majority after 13 hours of deliberation in February 2025.
- All three men lodged appeals against their convictions and sentences, heard by the Court of Appeal in October 2026 with judgment reserved.
- Sentence
- Hickey and Vicente were each sentenced to 16 years and Zolfaghari to 14 years, each with the final year suspended, on 27 March 2025 (some reports cite 15 and 13 years).
- Other details
- Hickey has 10 previous convictions, Vicente has one for a road traffic offence, and Zolfaghari has no previous convictions.
- Toxicology results showed the woman was highly intoxicated with alcohol and cocaine but no so-called rape drugs were detected.
286 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe vehicle involved was a Volkswagen SUV (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThree men are accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman on 31 August 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe third man shared two video clips he recorded in a group chat with the first accused and another male friend. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe described sharing the videos as a 'locker room chat' between 'blokes' sent 'for a laugh'. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatOne video clip was 30 seconds long and the other lasted six seconds. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA female voice says 'no' several times during the 30-second clip. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA garda witness believed a male voice said 'Stick it up her arse' during the 30-second clip. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe third man said he recorded one video in the SUV and one in the house as it was his 'first time experiencing something like this'. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe video taken in the house was made while the first accused was having sex with the woman. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe 30-second clip included the first man asking the woman for anal sex, which she refused. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe third man said his sexual interactions with the woman were kissing in the SUV and her performing oral sex on him in the house. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe third man said he didn't have sex with the complainant and didn't see any rough play. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe third man said the woman was 'having fun' and didn't withdraw consent at any point. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe third man said the woman's jeans and underwear were removed during sexual activity but her top remained on throughout. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAn 'ear witness', a roommate of the first man, heard them in the house. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe third man said he went to the nightclub with the two other accused where they encountered the woman. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe second accused 'linked arms' with the woman outside the nightclub. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe third man said the woman didn't look drunk and was 'straight up...normal-like'. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe third man said they couldn't go inside his home as his mother was asleep downstairs. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe third man said the sexual activity ended as everyone was tired and he left the house with the second accused in the early hours. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThree men were convicted of rape and sexual assault of a woman they met in a Dublin nightclub. (rte.ie)
- whatThree men were convicted of rape and sexual assault of a woman they met in a Dublin nightclub almost six years ago (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThree men were convicted of rape, oral rape and sexual assault of a woman they met in a Dublin nightclub. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman gave evidence from behind plastic screens attached to the side of the witness box. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman said she was raped twice in the car but could not say if it was by the same person. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman met the men in a Dublin nightclub. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman believed she was drugged after her housemate left. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman recalled a bag of white powder in the vicinity but could not remember if she took any. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman said she was raped twice in the car but could not say if by the same person. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman's next memory was lying on a bed with two others in the room, one on top of her. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHickey was asleep beside the woman when she woke the next morning. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe three men appeared shocked after the court rose and hugged family members before being taken into custody. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman and her housemate went for drinks before going to the nightclub in the early hours of 31 August 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman had silly chat with a group of men, possibly three or four, while dancing. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman's first recollection after leaving the nightclub was sitting in the back of a vehicle she thought was a taxi. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman said she remembered a male being on top of her in the car. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe taxi driver was playing with his zipper before the woman lost memory until the house. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman said the three men were strangers to her then and are strangers to her now. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA woman was raped by three men she met at a nightclub and was filmed twice during the assault. (rte.ie)
- whatThree men were jailed for raping and sexually assaulting a young woman. (rte.ie)
- whatHickey was convicted of raping the woman in his then address in Dundrum (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman was socialising and went to the nightclub with a friend (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman recalled being in the back of a vehicle she believed to be a taxi with up to four men where she was raped (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatForensic analysis showed the woman was highly intoxicated (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatHickey was convicted of raping the woman in his then address in Dundrum, and of orally raping and sexually assaulting her in a car. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatVicente was found guilty of raping the woman in the car and raping her in Hickey's then-home. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe woman had been socialising and went to the nightclub with a friend. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman recalled being offered a white powder but could not say if she took any. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatIn a 30-second clip recorded in the car, the woman is heard saying 'no' several times. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatThree men were jailed for the rape and sexual assault of a woman they met in a Dublin nightclub (dublinlive.ie)
- whatZolfaghari recorded two video clips on the night of the offence (dublinlive.ie)
- whatHickey asked Zolfaghari to send him a video via WhatsApp and replied 'Listen to you laughing after she says no' (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe woman was raped by three men she encountered at a nightclub (irishtimes.com)
- whatAnthony Hickey, 39, is from Ballyogan in Carrickmines (irishtimes.com)
- whatFabio Vicente, 42, is from Enniskerry in Co Wicklow (irishtimes.com)
- whatMatin Zolfaghari, 34, is from Marley Court in Rathfarnham (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman was abused in the back of a car by one of the men (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe car pulled over and the woman thought it was a taxi driver (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman's next memory was being upstairs in a house, kicking someone off her (irishtimes.com)
- whatVideo clips of the assault by two of the men had been circulated (irishtimes.com)
- whatA woman was raped by three men she met in a nightclub. (rte.ie)
- whereThe woman was allegedly assaulted in a car and in a Dublin house after she was met in a Dublin nightclub. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe woman was met in a Dublin nightclub. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe alleged offences took place in a car and in a Dublin house. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe offences took place in a car and in a Dublin house. (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place in a car and in a Dublin house. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe offences allegedly occurred at an unknown location in a car and in a Dublin house. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe woman was met at a Dublin nightclub. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHickey's rape of the woman took place at his then-home in Dundrum. (rte.ie)
- whereThe offences were alleged to have occurred in a car and in a Dublin house. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe offences occurred at an unknown location in a car and in a Dublin house (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe offences took place in a car and in a house in Dundrum, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe men met the woman in a nightclub in Dublin city centre and raped her in a car and in Hickey's then home in Dundrum. (rte.ie)
- whereThe offences took place in Dublin. (gript.ie)
- whereThe group went to a nightclub on Baggot Street. (rte.ie)
- whereAnthony Hickey orally raped and sexually assaulted her in a car. (rte.ie)
- whereShe was driven to Hickey's house in Dundrum, where she was raped. (rte.ie)
- whereThe woman went to a nightclub in the early hours of August 31st, 2019, where she met the three men. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe alleged offences took place in a car and in a Dublin house on 31 August 2019 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe alleged offences occurred on 31 August 2019. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe alleged offences took place on 31 August 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offences occurred on 31 August 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident happened in August 2019. (rte.ie)
- whenThe offences were alleged to have occurred on 31 August 2019. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe offences took place on 31 August 2019. (dublinlive.ie, thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offences occurred on 31 August 2019 in a car and in a Dublin house. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences took place in August 2019. (rte.ie)
- whenThe offences were carried out six years ago. (gript.ie)
- whenThe three men were convicted of raping the woman in August 2019 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe woman's friend left the nightclub at 1am (irishtimes.com)
- whenIn February 2024 the woman was told by a detective that three men had been charged (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe rapes happened in August 2019. (rte.ie)
- whenThe night out began on 30 August 2019. (rte.ie)
- whenThe offences took place on August 31st, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí reviewed around 160 hours of CCTV as part of their investigation (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe complainant was taken in a patrol car on 31 August 2019 to try to identify the house but could not pinpoint it (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationCCTV was used to identify the vehicle and trace its journey (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationNo evidence of the woman taking or being provided a white powder was identified in the nightclub CCTV (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationNo evidence was seen of the accused men handing the woman a drink (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe woman made a formal statement on 9 September 2019 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationSearches were carried out in December 2019, seizing mobile phones and the Volkswagen SUV (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe accused men were interviewed in September 2020 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí seized items including phones after searches of the men's address. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe first accused told gardaí he thought it was a normal night and denied the allegations. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe first accused provided a DNA swab and his solicitor was present during three interviews. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA solicitor representing the three accused contacted the investigating garda shortly after searches in December 2019, and the men were interviewed in September 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThree phones were seized from the second man when his home was searched in December 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA further phone was seized after the second man's interview in September 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe jury was told one of the men had taken videos in the car and the house. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe men gave similar accounts in voluntary interviews with gardaí on 10 September 2020, each saying the woman consented to sexual activity. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationCCTV footage was used to identify the men and a Volkswagen Touareg SUV belonging to Vicente (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationAn analysis of Hickey's phone identified WhatsApp messages in which he asked Zolfaghari to send him a video. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAnalysis of Hickey's phone identified WhatsApp messages. (gript.ie)
- investigationThe woman's friend called the Rape Crisis Centre (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAn investigating garda told the court the complainant expressed concerns about giving evidence in front of the accused. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe three men pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- chargeThe first man, aged 39, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape in his home, one count of oral rape and one count of sexual assault in a car (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe second man, aged 42, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape in the car and one count of rape in the house (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe third man, aged 34, pleaded not guilty to oral rape in the house and sexual assault in the car (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe three men have pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe first accused, aged 39 in Dublin, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape in his home, one count of oral rape in a car, and one count of sexual assault in a car. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe second accused, aged 42 in Wicklow, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape in the car and one count of rape in the house. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe third accused, aged 34 in Dublin, pleaded not guilty to oral rape in the house and sexual assault in the car. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThree men pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe second accused pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman in the car and one count of raping her in the house. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe first man, aged 39 with an address in Dublin, pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman at his home, one count of oral rape and one count of sexually assaulting her in a car. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe third man, aged 34 with an address in Dublin, pleaded not guilty to orally raping the woman in the house and sexually assaulting her in the car. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe first man, aged 39 with a Dublin address, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape in his home, one count of oral rape and one count of sexual assault in a car. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe second man, aged 42 with a Wicklow address, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape in the car and one count of rape in the house. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe third man, aged 34 with a Dublin address, pleaded not guilty to oral rape in the house and sexual assault in the car. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe three men pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe first man, aged 39 with a Dublin address, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape in his home, one count of oral rape in a car, and one count of sexual assault in a car. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHickey was found guilty of rape, oral rape and sexual assault. (rte.ie)
- chargeVicente was convicted of raping the woman in a car and at the same house. (rte.ie)
- chargeZolfaghari was found guilty of orally raping the woman at the same house. (rte.ie)
- chargeThe three men had pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe three men had pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHickey had pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman in his then-home address in Ballyogan, one count of oral rape, and one count of sexually assaulting her in a car (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- chargeVicente had pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman in the car and one count of raping her in the house (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- chargeZolfaghari had pleaded not guilty to orally raping the woman in the house and sexually assaulting her in the car (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- chargeAnthony Hickey, 39, of Carrickmines, Dublin 18, was convicted of rape, oral rape and sexual assault by a majority verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeFabio Vicente, 42, of Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, was convicted of two counts of rape by a majority verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMatin Zolfaghari, 34, of Rathfarnham, was convicted of oral rape by a majority verdict and acquitted of sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHickey was convicted of raping the woman at his then address in Dundrum and of orally raping and sexually assaulting her in a car. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeVicente was found guilty of raping the woman in the car and in Hickey's then-home. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeZolfaghari was convicted of the oral rape of the woman in the house. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- chargeThe jury found Zolfaghari not guilty of sexually assaulting the woman in the car. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- chargeAnthony Hickey was convicted of raping the woman in his then address in Dundrum. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHickey was convicted of orally raping and sexually assaulting the woman in a car. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMatin Zolfaghari was convicted of the oral rape of the woman in the house. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHickey was found guilty of rape, oral rape and sexual assault by a jury. (rte.ie)
- chargeVicente was convicted of two counts of rape. (rte.ie)
- chargeZolfaghari was found guilty of oral rape. (rte.ie)
- chargeThree men were charged in February 2024. (rte.ie)
- courtA 15-minute CCTV compilation was shown to the jury (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is being heard by Mr Justice Paul Burns (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is continuing. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe trial is taking place at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtDiana Stuart, BL is prosecuting and Garret Baker SC is defending the second accused. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury started its deliberations in the trial at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns completed his charge to the jury and invited them to consider their verdicts. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJurors deliberated for around one hour before being asked to pause for the day. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury was told to pause deliberations for the bank holiday weekend. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtAfter approximately four hours of deliberations, Mr Justice Paul Burns directed the jury to pause and return the following Tuesday. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtZolfaghari was found not guilty of sexually assaulting the woman in a car. (rte.ie)
- courtThe jury reached guilty verdicts by an 11-1 majority after more than 13 hours of deliberation. (rte.ie)
- courtThe trial lasted two and a half weeks at the Central Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
- courtAll three men had denied the charges and said any sexual activity was consensual. (rte.ie)
- courtThe jury returned guilty verdicts on six of the seven charges after 13 hours of deliberation. (thejournal.ie)
- courtAnthony Hickey was convicted of rape, oral rape and sexual assault by a majority verdict. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtFabio Vicente was convicted of two counts of rape by a majority verdict. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtMatin Zolfaghari was convicted of oral rape and acquitted of sexual assault. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe jury of eight men and four women returned guilty verdicts on six of the seven charges after 13 hours of deliberation (irishmirror.ie)
- courtAnthony Hickey, 39, of Ballyogan Square, Carrickmines, Dublin 18, was convicted of rape, oral rape and sexual assault by a majority verdict (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- courtFabio Vicente, 42, of Little Newtown, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, was convicted of two counts of rape by a majority verdict (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- courtMatin Zolfaghari, 34, of Marley Court, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin, was convicted of oral rape by a majority verdict and acquitted of sexual assault (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe complainant was present in court when the verdicts were read out (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge remanded the three men in custody and adjourned the case until 10 March for sentence (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe jury consisted of eight men and four women and returned guilty verdicts on six of the seven charges. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe jury deliberated for a total of 13 hours. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns thanked jurors for their care and attention to the case, describing it as particularly difficult. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe judge directed the preparation of a victim impact statement. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe jury of eight men and four women returned guilty verdicts on six of seven charges after 13 hours of deliberation. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns remanded the three in custody and adjourned the case until 10 March for sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMartin Zolfaghari was convicted of oral rape by a majority verdict and acquitted of sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns thanked jurors for their care and attention to the case. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to 10 March for sentencing and a victim impact statement was directed. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtAll three men denied the charges but were found guilty after a two-and-a-half week trial. (rte.ie)
- courtAnthony Hickey was found guilty of raping the woman at his then home in Dundrum and of oral rape and sexual assault in a car in August 2019. (rte.ie)
- courtFabio Vicente was convicted of raping the woman in a car and at the same house. (rte.ie)
- courtMatin Zolfaghari was found guilty of orally raping the woman at the same house and not guilty of sexually assaulting her in a car. (rte.ie)
- courtThe men will be sentenced on 27 March. (rte.ie)
- courtThe three men were convicted after a trial at the Central Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe three men were remanded in custody and the case was adjourned to 27 March for sentence. (thejournal.ie)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns adjourned the case to 27 March for sentencing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Paul Burns described the facts as disturbing and said the men acted together to take advantage of a vulnerable woman. (rte.ie)
- courtThe three men were convicted following a trial at the Central Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns imposed the sentences (irishtimes.com, dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe men were convicted following a trial at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns imposed the sentences on 27 March 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtAll three men were found guilty by a jury. (gript.ie)
- courtJustice Paul Burns sentenced the three men. (gript.ie)
- courtAll three convicted men have lodged appeals against their convictions and sentences (irishtimes.com, rte.ie)
- courtThe woman gave her evidence behind a screen in court (irishtimes.com)
- courtCCTV footage was shown in court without the woman's forewarning (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe woman was cross-examined by three barristers for three days (irishtimes.com)
- courtOn the day of the verdict there were 25 people in the courtroom for the defendants (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns limited each of the men to two supporters (irishtimes.com)
- courtEach side had seven vetoes over potential jurors. (rte.ie)
- courtThe woman asked for a screen to be placed around her while she gave evidence. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Burns acknowledged that what happened was not her fault. (rte.ie)
- courtThe three men were convicted in February 2025 after a trial at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe convicted men argued that allowing the complainant to give evidence behind a screen was prejudicial to their trial. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe convicted men argued the trial judge should have given a clearer explanation to a jury question on recklessness and carelessness in rape laws. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal reserved judgment to a later date. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe men were remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 10 March, when victim impact evidence will also be heard. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe prosecution said the DPP's view is that the case falls into the highest sentencing category of 15 years to life. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceDefence counsel suggested the case falls into the 10 to 15 years sentencing category. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceHickey and Vicente were each sentenced to 16 years with the final year suspended. (rte.ie)
- sentenceZolfaghari was sentenced to 14 years with the final year suspended because he was convicted of only one offence. (rte.ie)
- sentenceHickey was sentenced to 16 years with the final year suspended on strict conditions (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceVicente was sentenced to 16 years with the final year suspended (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceZolfaghari was sentenced to 14 years with the final year suspended (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge directed the three men to place themselves under the supervision of The Probation Services for three years post-release (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge backdated their sentences to the date they went into custody (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe three men were sentenced to between 14 and 16 years. (gript.ie)
- sentenceThe men were sentenced to terms of 15 and 13 years (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe three men were sentenced to terms of 15 and 13 years. (rte.ie)
- sentenceZolfaghari was sentenced to 14 years in prison with one year suspended in March 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHickey was jailed for 16 years with one year suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceVicente was jailed for 16 years with one year suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe second accused man is the registered owner of the Volkswagen SUV (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe complainant believed she may have been drugged in the club (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe men cannot be named for legal reasons (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe three men are aged between 34 and 42 and have addresses in Dublin and Wicklow. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe men deny any wrongdoing. (thejournal.ie)
- otherA WhatsApp chat between the first accused and the third man dated 9 September 2019 was played for the jury. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA female voice could be heard saying 'no' several times during a 30-second clip. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe second clip is six seconds long and no words are audible. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe exchanges were not found on a phone seized from the third man. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGardaí could not say the time each video was recorded or the order in which they were recorded. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe first accused said he performed oral sex on the woman in the car. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe first accused said the second man got into the back of the vehicle, kissed the woman, and they had sex. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe first accused said the second man and the woman had sex in his bedroom. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe first accused said the woman performed oral sex on him and then on the third man. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe first accused said the woman asked to stay over and they slept in the same bed. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe first accused said he walked the woman to his front door, gave her a kiss, and saw her get into a taxi. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe second accused is 42 with an address in Wicklow. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherTwo video clips were recorded by the third man on 31 August 2019 and recovered from the phone of the first accused. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherIn a 30-second clip, a female voice says 'no' several times. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAn investigating garda believed a male voice says 'stick it up her arse' in the clip. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe second man accepted he was the person described as a 'taxi driver' by the woman in her statement. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherToxicology results showed the complainant was highly intoxicated. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe second man described the woman as 'happy, not drunk' and 'steady on her feet'. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe second man said he was 100% sure everything that happened was consensual. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe second man said the woman was 'never forced' and 'never raped'. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe second man said he would never take advantage of a half-asleep drunk girl. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherToxicology tests showed only alcohol and cocaine in the woman's system and no so-called rape drugs. (rte.ie)
- otherThe three men were remanded in custody and the case was adjourned until March 10 for sentence. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe men made no visible reaction while the registrar read out the verdicts (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherAfter the court rose, the three men appeared shocked, then hugged family members before being taken into custody (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherIn a victim impact statement the woman said she believed the men would never show remorse. (rte.ie)
- otherThe three men do not accept the jury's verdicts. (thejournal.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherIn her victim impact statement the woman described the men as complete strangers. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHickey has 10 previous convictions. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHickey has 10 previous convictions including one for assault causing harm for which he received an 18-month prison sentence in 2013. (irishtimes.com)
- otherVicente has one previous conviction for a road traffic offence. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherZolfaghari has no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe victim has a daughter. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge described the men as behaving in a cruel, cynical, depraved manner. (rte.ie)
- otherTwo of the men found callous amusement in watching videos of the attacks, and in one video the woman can be heard saying no three times. (rte.ie)
- otherHickey has 10 previous convictions including one for assault causing harm (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherHickey is a personal trainer and father of two (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe men made videos of the rape and sexual assault. (gript.ie)
- otherThe judge said the men showed no remorse. (gript.ie)
- otherThe rape was described as cruel, cynical and depraved. (gript.ie)
- otherSupporters of the men entered the back of the courtroom after the court rose. (gript.ie)
- otherAt an earlier hearing the judge cleared most of the men's supporters from the court. (gript.ie)
- otherThe victim said in her impact statement that the men were complete strangers. (gript.ie)
- otherThe woman has since married and has a daughter (irishtimes.com)
- otherZolfaghari filmed the woman, and the video was played in court. (rte.ie)
- otherHickey asked for the video to be shared in a WhatsApp group chat. (rte.ie)
- otherThe woman says the rapes have affected everything in her life. (rte.ie)
- otherIn a victim impact statement, the woman said the men used her as if she was an object they were entitled to. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHickey had 10 previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Oct2026Convicted gang rapists say trial was prejudiced by allowing woman to give evidence behind screen
Reports the Court of Appeal hearing where the three convicted rapists raised two grounds of appeal: the use of a screen for the complainant and the trial judge's response to a jury question on recklessness versus carelessness. DPP counsel argued both were properly handled. Judgment reserved.
convicted, Anthony Hickey, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 43, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 36, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfagharivictim, female - 9 Apr2025Giving evidence in rape case has 'protected' other women
Victim's account of giving evidence and her reaction to the verdicts and sentences. Adds the sentences of 15 and 13 years, the men's appeals, the courtroom screen and jury vetoes, and that the men filmed her and shared a video in which she can be heard saying no.
victim, Kate, femaleKateconvicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfaghari - 9 Apr2025‘One was always watching’: Woman raped by three men from nightclub said they acted like ‘predators’
The victim, identified only as Kate, gives an RTÉ interview describing the nightclub encounter, the assault in a car and a house, the court process including CCTV playback and three days of cross-examination, and the circulation of video clips of the assault. All three convicted men have lodged appeals against convictions and sentences.
victim, Kate, femaleKateconvicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfaghari - 28 Mar2025Who gives a thumbs up in court to rapists who laughed as their victim said No? - Gript
Opinion piece on the sentencing of the three men and on their supporters' conduct in court. Adds the sentence length, the judge's remarks, the videos made by the men, and the supporters' behaviour after sentencing.
convicted, Anthony Hickey, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfagharivictim, female - 27 Mar2025Three jailed for 'depraved' rape of woman they met in Dublin nightclub
Provides full sentencing details: specific sentences (16, 16, 14 years with final year suspended), judge's remarks, victim impact statement, evidence including videos and forensic analysis, prior convictions, and post-release probation direction.
victim, femaleconvicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfaghari - 27 Mar2025Scenes in court as three men jailed for 13 and 15 years over 'depraved' rape
Provides full sentencing details: individual sentences, the judge's remarks, the victim's impact statement, forensic and CCTV evidence, video evidence from the men's phones, prior convictions, and post-sentencing reactions in court.
victim, femaleconvicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfaghari - 27 Mar2025Three men jailed for ‘cruel, cynical and depraved’ rape and sexual assault of woman they met in Dublin nightclub
Reports the full sentencing: Hickey 16 years (final year suspended), Vicente 16 years (final year suspended), Zolfaghari 14 years (final year suspended). Includes the judge's remarks, victim impact statement, forensic and CCTV evidence, phone messages, prior convictions, and post-release probation direction.
victim, femaleconvicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfaghari - 27 Mar2025Three men jailed for rape of woman they met in nightclub
Reports the sentencing of the three men after jury convictions, with the sentences and the judge's remarks. The article does not give the exact incident date, only August 2019.
convicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, namedFabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, namedMatin Zolfagharivictim, female - 10 Mar2025Woman raped by three ‘complete strangers’ says they robbed her of her love for life
Sentencing hearing where the victim read her impact statement; DPP recommends highest category of 15 years to life; case adjourned to 27 March 2025 for sentence; the three men do not accept the jury's verdict.
victim, 20s, femaleconvicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfaghari - 10 Mar2025Woman who was raped by three men she met at Dublin nightclub says she was treated as 'an object'
Adds the woman's victim impact statement, the defence and prosecution sentencing submissions, Justice Burns's remand in custody, and sentencing adjourned to 27 March. The photo caption says the men were 'sentenced today', but the article text says sentence will be imposed later.
victim, femaleconvicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfaghari - 10 Mar2025Woman raped by three men says further violated by filming
Reports the victim impact statement, the convictions of Hickey, Vicente and Zolfaghari, the partial acquittal of Zolfaghari, and that sentencing is set for 27 March.
convicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfagharivictim, female - 5 Feb2025Full summary of Dublin rape trial as three men convicted of various sex offences
Full trial summary including prosecution and defence evidence, CCTV, DNA analysis, video clips, WhatsApp messages and the jury's verdicts on six of seven charges.
victim, femaleconvicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Martin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Martin Zolfaghari - 5 Feb2025Three men convicted of rape and sexual assault of woman they met in Dublin nightclub
Reports the jury verdicts, trial evidence including the complainant's testimony about being drugged, WhatsApp messages between the accused, and the judge's direction for a victim impact statement and sentencing on 10 March 2025.
victim, femaleconvicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfaghari - 5 Feb2025Three men convicted of rape and sex assault of woman they met in nightclub
Provides the specific charges each man was convicted of, the jury composition (eight men and four women), 13 hours of deliberation, guilty verdicts on six of seven charges, the judge's comments, the complainant's presence in court, and the men's post-verdict reactions.
victim, femaleconvicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfaghari - 5 Feb2025Three men convicted over rape and sex assault of woman they met in nightclub
Provides the specific verdicts for each defendant (Hickey convicted of rape, oral rape and sexual assault; Vicente convicted of two counts of rape; Zolfaghari convicted of oral rape and acquitted of sexual assault), the jury composition (8 men, 4 women), 13 hours of deliberation, majority verdicts, that the complainant was present in court, and that the judge directed preparation of a victim impact statement.
victim, femaleconvicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfaghari - 5 Feb2025Three men convicted of raping a woman they met in a Dublin nightclub in 2019
Reports the jury verdicts on six of seven counts, the individual convictions and acquittal, and the remand in custody pending sentence on March 10.
victim, femaleconvicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfaghari - 5 Feb2025Three convicted over rape of woman they met in nightclub
Reports the jury verdicts: Hickey and Vicente convicted of rape and related charges, Zolfaghari convicted of oral rape and acquitted of sexual assault in a car. Adds the 11-1 majority, the trial length, and sentencing set for 10 March.
victim, femaleconvicted, Anthony Hickey, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Hickeyconvicted, Fabio Vicente, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fabio Vicenteconvicted, Matin Zolfaghari, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matin Zolfaghari - 31 Jan2025Jury sent home for weekend in trial of men accused of raping woman in Dublin
Jury deliberations paused for bank holiday weekend after approximately four hours; individual charges for each of the three accused detailed.
victim, femaleaccused, 39, maleaccused, 42, maleaccused, 34, male - 29 Jan2025Jury retire in trial of men accused of raping woman they met at nightclub
Reports that the jury has retired to deliberate and that Mr Justice Burns paused deliberations after approximately one hour, with jurors directed to return the following Thursday.
victim, femaleaccused, 39, maleaccused, 42, maleaccused, 34, male - 23 Jan2025Man accused of rape in Dublin shared recorded videos in group chat 'for a laugh'
Details of the third accused's three garda interviews read to the jury, including his account of recording and sharing video clips, his description of the night's events, and forensic examiner's evidence of bruising and the absence of genital injuries.
victim, femaleaccused, 39, maleaccused, 42, maleaccused, 34, male - 22 Jan2025Trial hears garda interview of second man accused of gang rape in Dublin
Reports on the trial hearing of garda interview memos with the second accused, including his detailed account of the night, his denials, video evidence from the third man's phone, toxicology results showing the woman was highly intoxicated, and cross-examination of the investigating garda.
victim, femaleaccused, 39, maleaccused, 42, maleaccused, 34, male - 21 Jan2025WhatsApp evidence played at Dublin rape trial as three men deny allegations
First detailed court report of the trial. The jury heard WhatsApp chat evidence, two video clips, and the first accused's interview memos in which he described the night as a 'normal night' and denied the allegations.
victim, femaleaccused, 39, maleaccused, 42, maleaccused, 34, male - 21 Jan2025One of three men accused in gang rape trial told gardaí he thought it was a 'normal night'
Reports jury evidence in the trial of three men, including the first accused's interview account, WhatsApp exchanges, video clips, and the ages and addresses of the accused. The article does not state the date of the nightclub meeting or any sentence.
accused, 39, maleaccused, 42, maleaccused, 34, male - 20 Jan2025Gardai reviewed 160 hours of CCTV after woman alleged rape by three men
Trial evidence on CCTV investigation, complainant's account of possible drugging, and the specific charges against each of the three accused men.
victim, femaleaccused, 39, maleaccused, 42, maleaccused, 34, male