Ireland Three men convicted of raping woman in Dublin
A woman in her 20s was raped by three men she had met in a Dublin nightclub, in a car and in a house in Dundrum, Dublin, on 31 August 2019. Anthony Hickey (39), Fabio Vicente (42) and Matin Zolfaghari (34) pleaded not guilty and were convicted after a trial at the Central Criminal Court, though the jury found Zolfaghari not guilty of sexually assaulting the woman in the car. On 10 March 2025 the victim read her impact statement at a sentencing hearing, the DPP recommended the highest category of 15 years to life, and the three men do not accept the verdict. Mr Justice Paul Burns adjourned the case to 27 March 2025 for sentencing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted10 Mar
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The woman said she was raped by three men she encountered in a Dublin nightclub, whom she described as complete strangers.
- Where
- The offences took place in a car and in a house in Dundrum, Dublin.
- When
- The offences took place on 31 August 2019.
- Charges
- Anthony Hickey was convicted of raping the woman at his then address in Dundrum and of orally raping and sexually assaulting her in a car.
- Matin Zolfaghari was convicted of the oral rape of the woman in the house.
- Fabio Vicente was also convicted following the trial at the Central Criminal Court.
- In court
- The jury found Zolfaghari not guilty of sexually assaulting the woman in the car.
- All three men had pleaded not guilty, and they do not accept the jury's verdict.
- Mr Justice Paul Burns adjourned the case to 27 March 2025 for sentencing.
- Sentence
- At a sentencing hearing on 10 March 2025 the victim read her impact statement, and the DPP recommended the highest category of 15 years to life.
- Other details
- Hickey has 10 previous convictions, including one for assault causing harm for which he received an 18-month prison sentence in 2013.
- Vicente has one previous conviction for a road traffic offence, and Zolfaghari has no previous convictions.
- The victim has a daughter.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe offences took place in a car and in a house in Dundrum, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences took place on 31 August 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- 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)
- courtThe jury found Zolfaghari not guilty of sexually assaulting the woman in the car. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns adjourned the case to 27 March for sentencing. (irishtimes.com)
- 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)
- otherZolfaghari has no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim has a daughter. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 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