Case No. 2327Rape, oral rape, anal rape, sexual assault · Co. Kerry · 18 Dec 2022
Martin Burke jailed for 15 years for rape and sexual assault in Tralee
Martin Burke, 28, formerly of Ballinorig Estate, Tralee, Co Kerry, was sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment (two years suspended) at the Central Criminal Court after pleading guilty to rape, oral rape, anal rape, and sexual assault of a woman in Tralee on 18 December 2022. Mr Justice Tony Hunt described Burke as 'a sexual predator who preys on people' and said the case 'belongs in the highest bracket of offending.'
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced14 Feb
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports37 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBurke grabbed the woman by the throat with both hands, dragged her to the ground and tried to strangle her. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman said she was strangled for a minute or so and could taste blood in her mouth. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBurke said he would not kill her if she did what he said. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe ordered her to take off her trousers and pulled her by her hair into the alleyway while she was crying, then raped her. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAfterwards, the woman promised she would not tell anyone what had happened. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman had significant bruising on her neck and lower limbs, as well as fragments of pine needles on her body. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMartin Burke, 28, formerly of Ballinorig Estate, Tralee, Co Kerry, was sentenced to 17 years with the final two years suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBurke grabbed the woman by the throat with both hands, dragged her onto the ground, and tried to strangle her for about a minute. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBurke told her to take off her pants and pulled her by her hair into the alleyway while she was crying. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman had significant areas of bruising on her neck and lower limbs, as well as fragments of pine needles on her body consistent with the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMartin Burke is formerly of Ballinorig Estate, Tralee, Co Kerry. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack took place on 18 December 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThey walked up a lane at around 3am. (irishtimes.com)
- whenAt 5.39am, after she was left alone, the woman called her partner. (irishtimes.com)
- whenAt 5.39 am, after being left alone, the victim called her partner. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationBurke and the woman were seen on CCTV walking in the early morning hours, walking up a lane at around 3am. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe woman was seen by two Gardaí on patrol in distress and was brought to a sexual assault treatment unit for a physical examination. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeBurke pleaded guilty to four counts of raping and sexually assaulting the woman. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBurke pleaded guilty to four counts including rape, oral rape, anal rape, and sexual assault at a location in Tralee on 18 December 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe sentencing took place at the Central Criminal Court on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt passed the sentence at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe maximum penalty for the offences is life imprisonment. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 22 years, reduced it to 17 years, and suspended the final two years under strict conditions. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 22 years but reduced it to 17 years after considering mitigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe final two years were suspended under strict conditions including keeping the peace and being of good behaviour for the remainder of his life. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceBurke is to have no direct or indirect contact with the injured party indefinitely. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceBurke is directed to remain under the supervision of the Probation Services for five years post-release. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim asked that Burke be named but wished to retain her anonymity. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke had 17 previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke and the woman knew each other. (irishtimes.com)
- otherTwo gardaí on patrol noticed the woman's distress and brought her to a garda station and then a sexual assault treatment unit. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke was arrested and claimed in interview that what happened was consensual. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke has been in custody since January 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke told his partner what happened was consensual but that he did feel guilty for cheating on his fiancee. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke has 17 previous convictions and was on bail at the time for similar offending. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBurke was arrested and said the encounter was consensual; he has been in custody since January 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe woman he was in a relationship with at the time said Burke's clothing had been left in the washing machine, wet and muddy. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Feb2025Sexual 'predator' who put woman through 'unspeakable ordeal' jailed for 15 years
Reports the sentencing of Martin Burke at the Central Criminal Court, including the judge's remarks, the victim impact statement, and details of the assault as given in evidence.
victim, femaleconvicted, Martin Burke, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Burke - 14 Feb2025Judge jails ‘sexual predator’ for 15 years for subjecting woman to ‘unspeakable ordeal’
Provides detailed account of the sentencing hearing including the judge's remarks, the victim impact statement, and the sequence of events during the attack.
victim, femalesuspect, Martin Burke, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Burke