Ireland Former Newbridge soldier appeals rape conviction
Niall Kennedy (32), a former soldier from Standhouse Lawns, Newbridge, County Kildare, was convicted by a jury in December 2021 of 12 counts of rape on eleven occasions in August 2017 against a woman he had been dating. He was also convicted of harassment between February and August 2017 and of threats to kill or cause serious harm in June 2017 and twice in August 2017. Reports differ on the sentence: one says he was jailed for 10 years, while another says he was sentenced to 12 years with the final two suspended. He has appealed his conviction, and at the Court of Appeal on Monday his lawyers argued for a corroboration warning, with Mr Justice Birmingham reserving judgment.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court23 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Niall Kennedy, a former soldier, was convicted by a jury in December 2021 of 12 counts of rape against a woman he had been dating.
- Kennedy is said to have told the woman to come to his house, where he raped her.
- Kennedy denied the charges and did not accept the jury's verdicts.
- When
- The rape counts relate to eleven different occasions in August 2017.
- Where
- Kennedy is of Standhouse Lawns, Newbridge, County Kildare.
- Charges
- Kennedy was also convicted of harassment on multiple occasions between February and August 2017.
- Kennedy was also convicted of making threats to kill or cause serious harm to the woman in June 2017 and twice in August 2017.
- Sentence
- At trial, the judge set a headline sentence of 13 years.
- Sources disagree on the sentence: one says Kennedy was jailed for 10 years, while another says he was sentenced to 12 years with the final two suspended for five years on strict conditions.
- In court
- Kennedy has appealed his conviction, with his lawyers arguing at the Court of Appeal that the trial judge should have given the jury a corroboration warning.
- The Court of Appeal heard the appeal on Monday, and Mr Justice Birmingham said the court would reserve its judgment.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatNiall Kennedy has appealed his conviction. (kildarenow.com)
- whatKennedy denied the charges and did not accept the jury's verdicts. (kildarenow.com)
- whatIn August 2017, Kennedy told the woman to come to his house, where he raped her. (kildarenow.com)
- whereKennedy is of Standhouse Lawns, Newbridge, County Kildare. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeKennedy was convicted by a jury in December 2021 of 12 counts of rape on eleven different occasions in August 2017. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeKennedy was also convicted of harassment on multiple occasions between February and August 2017. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeKennedy was also convicted of making threats to kill or cause serious harm to the woman in June 2017 and twice in August 2017. (kildarenow.com)
- courtAt the Court of Appeal, Kennedy's lawyers argued that the trial judge should have given the jury a corroboration warning. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal heard the appeal on Monday. (kildarenow.com)
- courtMr Justice Birmingham said the court would reserve its judgment. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceAt trial, the judge set a headline sentence of 13 years. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceKennedy was sentenced to 12 years, with the final two years suspended for five years on strict conditions. (kildarenow.com)
The reporting
newest first- 23 May2023Former Newbridge, County Kildare soldier jailed for 10 years for ‘a cynical and cold campaign of rape’ against a woman he had been dating appeals conviction
Reports the Court of Appeal hearing of Kennedy's appeal against conviction, in which judgment was reserved. Gives the conviction, sentence and offence details from the trial.
convicted, Niall Kennedy, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Kennedyvictim, female