Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0813Rape · Co. Offaly · 25 May 2022

Offaly man jailed for six years for raping best friend in her home

A 44-year-old man from Offaly was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of raping his best friend in her home on 25 May 2022, while she slept beside her infant grandchild. The woman, who had taken a sleeping tablet, woke to find the man on top of her and had to call gardaí when he refused to leave. He was initially arrested for a public order offence and maintained throughout the trial that the sex was consensual. Judge Paul Burns set a headline sentence of eight years, reduced to seven years with the final year suspended for three years, effectively six years in prison.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced15 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The man raped the woman in her home while she was sleeping beside her infant grandchild in a Moses' basket.
Where
The rape took place in the woman's home in Offaly.
When
The rape occurred on 25 May 2022.
Cause
The woman had taken a sleeping tablet before bed and was asleep when the man was on top of her.
Investigation
The man was arrested for a public order offence after the woman called gardaí because he refused to leave her home.
Charges
The man was convicted at the Central Criminal Court on one charge of rape.
In court
The trial was heard at the Central Criminal Court before Judge Paul Burns.
Sentence
The man was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with the final year suspended for three years, following a headline sentence of eight years.
Other details
  • The man maintained throughout the trial that the sex was consensual and that they had sex numerous times previously.
  • The woman was treated in a local Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and found to have bruising and a small cut to her vagina.
  • The man has eight previous convictions for District Court offences including road traffic and public order offences.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe woman had her period and took a sleeping tablet before bed (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe woman woke to find she was naked and a person was on top of her having sex (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused came out of the bedroom naked on top with his bottoms around his ankles (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe woman had to call gardaí because the man refused to leave her home (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe woman was treated in a local Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and found to have bruising and a small cut to her vagina (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe rape occurred in the woman's home on 25 May 2022 (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe man was arrested for a public order offence (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe man was convicted at the Central Criminal Court on one charge of rape (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Paul Burns set a headline sentence of eight years (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe man was sentenced to seven years with the final year suspended for three years (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe man has eight previous convictions for District Court offences including road traffic and public order offences (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe man maintained the sex was consensual and said they had sex numerous times previously (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Jun2026
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man who raped best friend while sleeping beside grandchild jailed for six years

    Sentencing report: the man received a headline sentence of eight years, reduced to seven years with the final year suspended for three years. He maintained the sex was consensual throughout.

    victim, femaleconvicted, 44, male