Ireland Case No. 20985Rape; harassment; threats to kill · Co. Kildare
Former soldier appeals rape conviction in Kildare
Niall Kennedy, a man from Newbridge, Co Kildare, was convicted by a jury in December 2021 of 12 counts of rape on 11 occasions in August 2017, along with harassment and threats to kill, after a relationship with a woman in her early 20s that began on the Tinder dating app in December 2016. Mr Justice Paul Burns sentenced him to 12 years' imprisonment on 21 February 2022, with the final two years suspended for five years, after describing the case as a cynical and cold campaign of rape. Kennedy, who denies the charges and has no previous convictions, has appealed his conviction to the Court of Appeal, where judgment was reserved in May 2023.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court11 Feb
3 reports - Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced21 Feb
7 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The woman, in her early 20s, met Kennedy on the Tinder dating app in December 2016 and they began a relationship.
- Kennedy was convicted by a jury in December 2021 of 12 counts of rape on 11 occasions in August 2017, harassment between February and August 2017, and threats to kill or cause serious harm in June and August 2017.
- Kennedy turned up uninvited outside the woman's workplace and in nightclubs, constantly texted her, demanded photographs, and sent indecent images to her mother's phone.
- The woman gave Kennedy €500 and asked to be left alone, but he kept contacting her.
- Where
- Kennedy lives at Standhouse Lawns, Newbridge, County Kildare.
- In court
- Mr Justice Paul Burns at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Croke Park, sentenced Kennedy on 21 February 2022.
- Kennedy has appealed his conviction to the Court of Appeal, arguing the trial judge should have given the jury a corroboration warning; judgment was reserved in May 2023.
- Sentence
- Kennedy was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended for five years on strict conditions, after a headline sentence of 13 years, and ordered not to contact the woman.
- Other details
- Kennedy denies the charges, has no previous convictions, and joined the Defence Forces at 19, leaving in 2020 after failing a fitness test.
- A forensic psychologist assessed the likelihood of Kennedy committing further sex crimes as above average.
110 statements extracted from the articles
- whatKennedy was convicted by a jury in December 2021 of 12 counts of rape on 11 occasions in August 2017. (rte.ie)
- whatHe was also convicted of harassment between February and August 2017 and of threats to kill or cause serious harm. (rte.ie)
- whatThe woman gave Kennedy €500 and asked to be left alone but he kept contacting her. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie, kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatKennedy sent images of an indecent nature to the woman's mother's phone. (rte.ie, kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatOutside a Dublin nightclub, Kennedy threatened to kill one of the woman's male friends. (rte.ie, kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatKennedy told the woman the only way to make things up was to be in a threesome and that she had to have sex with him 24 times. (rte.ie, kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatNiall Kennedy, 31, of Standhouse Lawns, Newbridge, Co Kildare, was convicted by a jury in December 2021 of 12 counts of rape on eleven occasions in August 2017. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe woman was in her early 20s when she met Kennedy in December 2016 on the Tinder dating app, and they began a relationship soon after and exchanged Christmas gifts. (kildarenow.com)
- whatKennedy began turning up outside her place of work and in nightclubs uninvited, was constantly texting her and demanding she send him photographs. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe woman found the level of communication unbearable, gave Kennedy €500 and asked to be left alone, but he kept contacting her. (kildarenow.com)
- whatKennedy told the woman the only way to make things up was to be in a threesome, that she had to have sex with him 24 times, and six times for every time he said she had sex with another man. (kildarenow.com)
- whatKennedy forced the woman to engage in anal sex while in a car, and masturbated on her chest and into her face. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe woman stated in her victim impact statement: 'I was a broken person. My life wasn't my own. Niall Kennedy was the person in charge of me.' (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe woman said counselling had helped, as well as 'the unconditional love of my parents'. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe woman described her treatment by Kennedy's defence lawyers during the trial as 'appalling'. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe woman told Kennedy: 'You appear to be indifferent to me. Today, I am proud of myself because I don't see myself as a victim any more. I survived. I fought back every day to get my life back.' (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe woman met someone new three years ago but it took her over a year to hold hands for fear that Kennedy would see her. (kildarenow.com)
- whatDefence counsel Desmond Hayes BL told the court that Kennedy was aged 19 when he joined the Defence Forces and left in 2020 after failing a fitness test. (kildarenow.com)
- whatDefence counsel attributed Kennedy's current mental health to leaving the Defence Forces. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe woman was in her early 20s when she met Kennedy. (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatKennedy turned up outside her place of work and in nightclubs uninvited, was constantly texting her and demanding photographs. (kildarenow.com)
- whatKennedy told the woman she had to have sex with him 24 times and six times for every time he said she had sex with another man. (irishtimes.com)
- 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 lives at Standhouse Lawns, Newbridge. (kildarenow.com)
- whereKennedy is of Standhouse Lawns, Newbridge, County Kildare. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe woman was in her early 20s when she met Kennedy in December 2016 on the Tinder dating app. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whenThe woman met Kennedy in December 2016 on the Tinder dating app. (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe woman met Kennedy in December 2016 through the Tinder dating app. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe victim met Kennedy in December 2016 on the Tinder dating app. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeKennedy was also convicted of harassment on multiple occasions between February and August 2017 and of making threats to kill or cause serious harm, once in June 2017 and twice in August 2017. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeKennedy was convicted of 12 counts of rape on eleven different occasions in August 2017. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHe was also convicted of harassment on multiple occasions between February and August 2017. (thejournal.ie, offalyexpress.ie, irishtimes.com, extra.ie)
- chargeHe was convicted of making threats to kill or cause serious harm, once in June 2017 and twice in August 2017. (thejournal.ie, offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie, irishtimes.com, extra.ie)
- chargeHe was also convicted of harassment on multiple occasions between February and August 2017 and of making threats to kill or cause serious harm once in June 2017 and twice in August 2017. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeKennedy was convicted of 12 counts of rape on 11 different occasions in August 2017. (longfordleader.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was convicted of harassment on multiple occasions between February and August 2017. (longfordleader.ie, kildarenow.com)
- chargeHe was convicted of 12 counts of rape on 11 occasions in August 2017. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeHe was convicted of making threats to kill or cause serious harm. (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)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Croke Park, made an order permitting publication of Kennedy's identity. (rte.ie)
- courtMr Justice Burns ordered Kennedy be taken into custody and adjourned sentence until 21 February 2022. (rte.ie)
- courtA previous sentence hearing was adjourned after Kennedy's lawyers said he was reported to have Covid-19. (rte.ie)
- courtAfter his conviction the State objected to his continued remand on bail but he was given bail under strict conditions including no contact with the victim, being of sober habits, and a daily curfew indoors overnight. (kildarenow.com)
- courtA sentence hearing was adjourned the previous month after Kennedy's lawyers told the court he was reported to have Covid-19. (kildarenow.com)
- courtAt the sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Croke Park on 11 February 2022, Mr Justice Paul Burns made an order permitting publication of Kennedy's identity. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe sentencing hearing took place at the Central Criminal Court on 21 February 2022. (thejournal.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- courtKennedy was convicted by a jury in December 2021 of 12 counts of rape on 11 different occasions in August 2017. (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie, extra.ie)
- courtMr Justice Burns made an order permitting publication of Kennedy's identity after the complainant said naming him would not disclose her own identity. (kildarenow.com, longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe sentencing hearing took place at the Central Criminal Court on Monday, 21 February 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtMr Justice Burns made an order permitting publication of Kennedy's identity. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns presided over the sentencing. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe sentencing hearing took place at the Central Criminal Court on Monday, 20 February 2022. (extra.ie)
- 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)
- sentenceJustice Paul Burns set a headline sentence of 13 years. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceHe was sentenced to 12 years with the final two years suspended for five years on strict conditions. (thejournal.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceKennedy was ordered not to contact the woman again. (thejournal.ie, kildarenow.com, longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceMr Justice Paul Burns set a headline sentence of 13 years. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceHe imposed a sentence of 12 years with the final two years suspended for five years on strict conditions. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe headline sentence was 13 years. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceKennedy was sentenced to 12 years with the final two years suspended for five years on strict conditions. (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 13 years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Paul Burns set a headline sentence of 13 years. (extra.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed concurrent sentences totalling 12 years, with the final two years suspended for five years on strict conditions. (extra.ie)
- sentenceNiall Kennedy was jailed for 10 years. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceAt trial, the judge set a headline sentence of 13 years. (kildarenow.com)
- otherKennedy denies the charges and does not accept the jury verdicts. (rte.ie)
- otherKennedy has no previous convictions. (rte.ie, offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie, irishtimes.com, extra.ie)
- otherKennedy joined the Defence Forces at 19 and left in 2020 after failing a fitness test. (rte.ie, kildarenow.com)
- otherA forensic psychologist said the likelihood of Kennedy committing further sex crimes was above average. (rte.ie)
- otherKennedy's bail conditions included no contact with the victim, being of sober habits, and a daily curfew indoors overnight. (rte.ie)
- otherKennedy denies the charges and does not accept the jury verdicts, and has no previous convictions. (kildarenow.com)
- otherKennedy had no previous convictions and no guilty plea was entered. (thejournal.ie)
- otherKennedy joined the Defence Forces at age 19 and left in 2020 after failing a fitness test. (thejournal.ie, longfordleader.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherJustice Burns described the case as characterised by a more than usual degree of degradation and abuse of trust. (thejournal.ie)
- otherSuperintendent Ian Lackey described the case as one of the most harrowing in his experience. (thejournal.ie)
- otherKennedy has no previous convictions and continues to deny the charges. (kildarenow.com)
- otherA forensic psychologist told the court the likelihood of Kennedy committing further sex crimes was above average. (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe woman said she was a broken person and that Niall Kennedy was the person in charge of her. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe woman met someone new three years ago but it took her over a year to hold hands for fear Kennedy would see her. (kildarenow.com)
- otherGarda David Connolly gave evidence and Antonia Boyle BL was prosecuting while Desmond Hayes BL was defending. (kildarenow.com)
- otherKennedy continues to deny the charges and does not accept the jury verdicts. (offalyexpress.ie, irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- otherKennedy began turning up outside her place of work or in a nightclub when she was out with friends. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherHe forced her to engage in anal sex while in a car and masturbated on her chest and into her face. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherKennedy was aged 19 when he joined the Defence Forces and left in 2020 after failing a fitness test. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherAntonia Boyle BL was prosecuting and Desmond Hayes BL was defending. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe woman met Kennedy on the Tinder dating app in December 2016. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherKennedy told the victim the only way to make things up was to be in a threesome and that she had to have sex with him 24 times. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherKennedy forced the victim to engage in anal sex while in a car and masturbated on her chest and into her face. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherKennedy turned up uninvited outside the victim's workplace and in nightclubs, was constantly texting her and demanding photographs. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe victim gave Kennedy €500 and asked to be left alone but he kept contacting her. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherKennedy sent images of an indecent nature to the victim's mother's phone. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherOutside a Dublin nightclub, Kennedy threatened to kill one of the victim's male friends. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe woman described her treatment by Kennedy's defence lawyers as appalling. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe judge noted there had been no guilty plea and Kennedy showed no remorse. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge described the case as characterised by a more than usual degree of degradation and abuse of trust. (extra.ie)
- otherThe judge noted there had been no guilty plea and Kennedy had shown no remorse. (extra.ie)
- otherReports described Kennedy as emotionally illiterate, righteous and self-centred, with limited insight into his psychological functioning. (extra.ie)
- otherKennedy was assessed as being at above-average risk of reoffending. (extra.ie)
- otherThe woman met Kennedy in December 2016 on a dating app and was in her early 20s at the time. (extra.ie)
- otherGarda David Connolly gave evidence to prosecuting counsel Antonia Boyle. (extra.ie)
- otherKennedy continued to deny the charges and did not accept the jury verdicts. (extra.ie)
- otherThe victim was in her early 20s at the time she met Kennedy. (kildarenow.com)
- otherSuperintendent Ian Lackey described it as one of the most harrowing cases in his experience. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe sentencing was described as being for a cynical and cold campaign of rape. (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 - 22 Feb2022Senior garda praises 'courage and bravery' of woman repeatedly raped by Kildare ex-soldier
Reports the 10-year custodial sentence handed down on 21 February 2022 and the senior investigating garda's post-sentencing remarks praising the victim.
victim, femaleconvicted, Niall Kennedy, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Kennedy - 22 Feb2022Former soldier convicted of ‘cynical and cold campaign of rape’ jailed for ten years - Extra.ie
Reports the sentencing: concurrent sentences totalling 12 years with the final two years suspended for five years (effectively 10 years), a perpetual exclusion order, and the judge's characterisation of the case as a 'cynical and cold campaign of rape'.
victim, early 20s, femaleconvicted, Niall Kennedy, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Kennedy - 21 Feb2022Former soldier jailed for 10 years for ‘cynical and cold campaign of rape’
Reports the sentencing: 12 years with 2 suspended, the judge's remarks, the victim impact statement, details of the controlling relationship, and the defence's mental health evidence.
victim, femaleconvicted, Niall Kennedy, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Kennedy - 21 Feb2022Irish soldier jailed for repeatedly raping woman in 'cold and cynical campaign'
Reports the sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court on 21 February 2022, where Mr Justice Paul Burns imposed 12 years' imprisonment (headline 13 years, final 2 years suspended for 5 years) and a non-contact order. Includes the victim's impact statement, details of the offending, and defence evidence including a forensic psychologist's opinion.
victim, early 20s, femaleconvicted, Niall Kennedy, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Kennedy - 21 Feb2022Kildare soldier who repeatedly raped woman in 'cold and cynical campaign' jailed for 10 years
Reports the sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court where Mr Justice Paul Burns imposed 12 years (2 suspended) for the rape, harassment and threats convictions, describing the case as a 'cynical and cold campaign of rape'.
victim, femaleconvicted, Niall Kennedy, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Kennedy - 21 Feb2022BREAKING: Newbridge, Co Kildare, soldier who repeatedly raped woman in 'cold and cynical campaign' jailed for 10 years
Reports the sentencing of Niall Kennedy on 21 February 2022, where Mr Justice Paul Burns imposed 12 years' imprisonment with 2 years suspended, after a headline sentence of 13 years, following his December 2021 jury conviction.
victim, femaleconvicted, Niall Kennedy, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Kennedy - 21 Feb2022Former soldier convicted of 'cynical and cold campaign of rape' jailed for 10 years
Reports the sentencing hearing: headline of 13 years, 12 years imposed with 2 suspended, no-contact order, victim impact statement, defence evidence on military service and mental health, and forensic psychologist's opinion on reoffending risk.
victim, femaleconvicted, Niall Kennedy, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Kennedy - 11 Feb2022Woman describes 'nightmare' relationship with former Newbridge, Co Kildare, soldier who repeatedly raped her
Covers the 11 February 2022 sentencing hearing at Croke Park where Mr Justice Paul Burns permitted Kennedy's naming, heard the victim's impact statement, and adjourned sentencing to 21 February 2022. Kennedy was taken into custody. Defence counsel attributed his mental health to leaving the Defence Forces in 2020, and a forensic psychologist assessed his risk of reoffending as 'above average'.
victim, early 20s, femaleconvicted, Niall Kennedy, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Kennedy - 11 Feb2022Court hears man repeatedly raped woman
Sentencing hearing details: victim impact statement describing the relationship and its aftermath, defence evidence on mental health linked to leaving the Defence Forces, forensic psychologist testimony that likelihood of further sex crimes was 'above average', and order for custody with sentence adjourned to 21 February 2022.
victim, early 20s, femaleconvicted, Niall Kennedy, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Kennedy