Latest news with #CentralCriminalCourt
Sunday World
6 hours ago
- Sunday World
Tattoo artist (34) who sexually assaulted woman he met on dating app avoids jail
The judge noted that 'his actions and attitude are less than encouraging'. A Central Criminal Court Judge has told a Dublin tattoo artist that 'his actions and attitude are less than encouraging' after he was found guilty of sexual assault in 2016. The court heard that Henrique Pereira (34) of Saint Patrick's Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, was found guilty of sexual assault at an apartment on Phibsborough Road, Dublin, on October 19, 2016. He has no previous convictions. At a previous hearing, a victim impact statement was read to the court on behalf of the injured party in this case. It outlined the flashbacks she has, which she described as 'debilitating' and 'vivid.' She said, 'The flashbacks were as vivid today as when they first happened.' Stock image News in 90 Seconds - July 25th She outlined that the sexual assault happened while she was in college, and she tried to go to lectures, but would have to leave as she would start to cry. She struggles with being in small spaces and said the assault has 'made me feel very unwell and unsafe'. Passing sentence yesterday, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring began by wishing the injured party in this case well in the future and that the conclusion of this case may now bring her some closure. Ms Justice Ring said Pereira has no memory of meeting the injured party in this case and said, 'it seems that he was engaging in a conveyor belt of dating at the time.' She said Pereira 'needs to understand that a woman is entitled to change their mind'. The judge said, 'The impact has been significant, and Pereira is responsible for that impact.' She also noted that 'his actions and attitude are less than encouraging'. She set a headline sentence of three years and six months. The judge noted that the mitigating factors in this case included his lack of a previous conviction in Ireland or any other jurisdiction. She noted that he is a small business owner and has family obligations. After considering the mitigating factors, Ms Justice Ring sentenced him to two and a half years in prison but suspended it in full for two and a half years. She also placed Pereira under the supervision of the Probation Services for 18 months and told him that he must carry out all directions deemed necessary by his probation officer. Garda Aoife Moroney told Conor Devally SC, prosecuting, that Pereira and the woman met on a dating website and arranged to meet at a restaurant in Dublin for a meal. After the meal, they decided to go for a drink, and Pereira wanted to visit a certain pub, rather than one local to where they had just eaten. While they were having a drink, they shared a kiss, and Pereira suggested they might have sexual intercourse later, but the injured party made it clear that this would not happen. The court heard that the injured party declined an offer to go back to Pereira's apartment. He then stood in a doorway and opened a door. A cat appeared, and the injured party stood in the doorway to stop the cat from getting out. Pereira again invited her to come upstairs and she did but did not sit down or take her jacket off. The woman was about to leave, but Pereira stopped her. He kissed her, and she went down the stairs of his apartment to leave, but she was unable to open the front door. Pereira then sexually assaulted the woman by touching her around her genital area. She managed to push him away, and he stopped. The woman maintained a 'friendly manner' with Pereira out of fear, and he walked her to the bus stop, where she gave him the impression that they would meet again. Gda Moroney said the woman contacted her friend and later the gardaí. When Pereira was questioned by the gardaí, he said he did not know who they were talking about, as he had seen many women from the dating app over that period of time. He told the gardaí that he did not, and would not, do anything untoward. In April 2023, Pereira was stopped at a border check in Spain, and he later presented to the gardai in Ireland. Timothy O'Leary, SC, defending, stated that his client has wanted to be a tattoo artist since the age of seven. In 2018, he opened his own tattoo shop in Ireland, employing several people. Counsel said his client will now be placed on the sex offenders register, and this will have an effect on his travel. He also noted that his client now accepts the jury's verdict. The court was informed that Pereira wished to give evidence on his own behalf before sentence. He told the court, 'I would like to say that I am sorry for everything that happened'. Mr O'Leary put it to his client, 'Do you understand that you have a lot of work to do between men and women and consent?' to which he said he did and that he would carry out any courses deemed necessary. Counsel asked him if he understood the impact that what he did had on the injured party in this case, to which he said 'yes.' Pereira apologised to the court for his existence and later for his behaviour. Mr O'Leary asked the court to consider a suspended sentence.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Restorative justice is ‘not feasible' in rape case of Spanish tourist, court hears
The Probation Service have advised the Central Criminal Court that restorative justice is 'not feasible' in the case of a man who raped a Spanish tourist six years ago because he does not accept full responsibility.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
Restorative justice is 'not feasible' in 2019 rape case
The Probation Service have advised the Central Criminal Court that restorative justice is "not feasible" in the case of a man who raped a Spanish tourist six years ago because he does not accept full responsibility. Christopher O'Grady, aged 33, formerly of Muirhevnamor, Dundalk, Co Louth, was found guilty of one count of raping the then 19-year-old woman on 1 January, 2019, following a trial last March. He was homeless at the time. In her victim impact statement which was read out by prosecution counsel Tony McGillicuddy SC at a previous hearing, the woman said: "I don't know why, but I want to meet him in a safe space and look him in the eyes and ask him what reason would anyone have to be so cruel to a young woman." "...I want to know if he believes his own lies. I want him to truly see me and be forced to see himself as monstrous as I saw him." The sentence hearing was previously adjourned for the prosecution to look into restorative justice for the complainant, with the court hearing that it is rarely utilised for victims in rape cases before the Central Criminal Court. Mr McGillicuddy today told the court that an updated probation report includes a recommendation that restorative justice is "not feasible" at this time, due to O'Grady's position during an interview with a probation officer. He told the court that the woman has been made aware of the report's contents and communicated to gardaí that she was "relieved". He added that the woman is "satisfied that the court could take the next step forward". Mr McGillicuddy asked the court to adjourn finalisation of this sentence as the woman had indicated she would like to be present. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs noted that the "door is closed" to restorative justice and this would not be considered aggravating or mitigating by the court when constructing the sentence. She also noted the probation report states that O'Grady accepts the woman is traumatised and harm has been done to her but does not believe he is responsible. The judge added that the probation officer said O'Grady "may be in early stages of contemplation regarding his offending". She asked defence counsel Padraig Dwyer SC to clarify his client's position, noting the court was previously told O'Grady accepts the jury's verdict and is apologetic. After a brief consultation with his client, Mr Dwyer said O'Grady does accept the verdict that there was "some wrongdoing on his behalf" in his interactions with the woman and is open to working with the Probation Service. He asked the court to consider suspending part of any sentence imposed to encourage rehabilitation. Remanding O'Grady in continuing custody, Ms Justice Biggs adjourned the case to next Thursday, 31 July, and said she would finalise the sentence then.
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Judge calls for more resources in case of alleged Parnell Square attacker
Mr Justice Paul McDermott put the matter back to October 22, noting that 'serious difficulties' were being faced due to the delay in the case A judge has called for resources to be provided to the case of Riad Bouchaker, who is charged with assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three children on Parnell Square in Dublin. At the Central Criminal Court today, counsel for the prosecution said that the defence have provided a psychiatric report on the accused, but the prosecution is now preparing their own report, which is expected by the middle of October. Mr Justice Paul McDermott put the matter back to October 22, noting that 'serious difficulties' were being faced due to the delay in the case. 'Someone needs to provide resources for this case,' he said. Mr Bouchaker (51), of no fixed abode, is charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy. He is also charged with assault causing serious harm to a care worker and possession or production of a knife. The incident occurred at Parnell Square on the afternoon of November 23, 2023. In December last year, the court was told that a psychiatrist assessing the accused man deemed it necessary to have further work carried out by a neuropsychologist. In April, the court heard that the expert's report had been made available, but the psychiatrist requested a further four weeks to review matters. The court also heard that the treating doctor had encountered delays accessing the defendant in prison and with regards to the availability of an interpreter. In May of this year, Mr Justice McDermott noted the age of the complainants and said the case must be given priority as soon as the psychiatric issue was resolved. He asked that everyone involved, including lawyers and professionals, "strain themselves" to ensure it gets on as quickly as possible. When the case returned before the court in June, a senior counsel acting for Mr Bouchaker said that he received the psychiatric report and would make it available to the Director of Public Prosecutions in due course. In February of this year, the Department of Justice and the courts announced a protocol to fast-track trials involving children. The courts have committed to completing the trial process within one year, where possible, if a child is the alleged victim or perpetrator. The scene in Dublin city centre after the Parnell Square attack (Brian Lawless/PA) News in 90 Seconds - July 23rd
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Judge criticises delay in assessing Mary Ward murder accused
Somalian national Ahmed Abdirahman is accused of murdering his former partner Mary Ward A Central Criminal Court judge has criticised the delay in preparing a psychiatric assessment on a Somalian national accused of the murder of his former partner Mary Ward in Belfast last year. "I understand the Central Mental Hospital has a resources issue, but this impasse has to be broken by somebody. This can't go on,' said Mr Justice Paul McDermott, asking both the prosecution and defence teams to establish a timeframe in the case of Ahmed Abdirahman (31). Mr Abdirahman, originally from Somalia and with a last address at Kinlay house, Lord Edward Street, Dublin, is accused of murdering the young mother on September 25, 2024, at her house on Melrose Street in south Belfast. At the Central Criminal Court today, counsel for the State, Antonia Boyle BL said that the book of evidence had not yet been served on the accused due to mental health concerns. The court heard from the defence team that the accused is waiting to be admitted to the Central Mental Hospital, and he has failed to engage with a psychiatrist who attempted to see him. Defence counsel also told the court that there is a jurisdictional issue in the case, as the alleged offence occurred in Northern Ireland, meaning the accused must be given the option to be tried there. Mr Justice McDermott noted that there was still no diagnosis of the accused, so there was no understanding if he was fit to plead or not. He said that he wanted both the defence and the prosecution to contact the Central Mental Hospital to establish a timeframe as to when the issues will be resolved. "There has to be some response. I understand the Central Mental Hospital has a resources issue, but this impasse has to be broken by somebody. This can't go on,' said Mr Justice McDermott. The matter was put back to July 30 next.
