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Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Perrigo Announces Quarterly Dividend
DUBLIN, July 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Perrigo Company plc (NYSE: PRGO), a leading global provider of Consumer Self-Care Products, today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.290 per share, payable on September 16, 2025, to shareholders of record on August 29, 2025. About Perrigo Perrigo Company plc is a leading pure-play self-care company with over a century of experience in providing high-quality health and wellness solutions to consumers primarily in North America and Europe. As a pioneer in the over-the-counter (OTC) self-care market, Perrigo offers trusted self-care solutions that can be used without the need for a prescription, ensuring accessibility and choice for consumers across molecules, dosage forms, and value tiers. Perrigo's unique business model leverages its complementary businesses, where cash-generative store brand private label offerings fuel investments for leading brands, including Opill®, Mederma®, Compeed®, EllaOne®, and Jungle Formula®. For more information, visit Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes, and the matters discussed in Perrigo's upcoming earnings release will include certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors—many of which are beyond the Company's control—that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. Interested persons are urged to consult the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, available at for a discussion of the Company's business and financial condition and certain material trends, risks, uncertainties and other factors relating thereto, including those discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Perrigo Contact Bradley Joseph, Vice President, Global Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, (269) 686-3373, E-mail: Nicholas Gallagher, Senior Manager, Global Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, (269) 686-3238, E-mail: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Perrigo Company plc
BreakingNews.ie
12 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
'I never knew humanity could be so cruel': Five men jailed over 'sadistic' torture of woman
Five men have been jailed for their roles in the 'sadistic' and 'cruel' torture and false imprisonment of a woman in a Dublin flat over a false accusation about missing drugs. During a three-hour period in September last year, Natalie Ennis (then 37) was beaten to the head and body with metal pole, burned with a makeshift blow torch and a heated hammer head, cut with a knife, kicked and punched, had her hair cut off and was threatened with rape, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. Advertisement The men took running jumps at her during the assault in a one-bedroom flat at Henrietta House, Dublin 7, threatened to make her drink ammonia and also threatened to rape her teenage daughter. She was terrified throughout and thought she was going to die, Caroline Cummings BL, prosecuting told an earlier sentence hearing. The assault only ended when gardaí entered the flat with a search warrant, the court heard. All of the men, who have between one and 124 previous convictions respectively, were on bail at the time of the offence. Five of the eight men present that day entered guilty pleas, while another man and a juvenile are still before the courts. The eighth person is not before the courts. Advertisement Mark Keogh (33), Mark McMahon (55) and Braxton Rice (21), all of Henrietta House, Henrietta Place, Dublin 7, along with Sean Conroy (21) of Sillogue Road, Ballymun and Kian Walshe (22) of Constitution Hill, Dublin 7, all pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and assault causing harm to the woman at Henrietta House on September 26th 2024. A number of other counts against each man relating to the production of articles in the course of an offence, were taken into consideration. Sentencing Imposing the sentence on Wednesday, Judge Pauline Codd said the context of this offending 'highlights the degree to which normal humanity and decency are absent' in the drugs trade. She noted the aggravating features of the case included the violation of the woman's rights to liberty and bodily integrity, the serious injuries sustained, the premediated nature of the offending and the 'deliberate targeting' of Ms Ennis, who the judge said was 'vulnerable'. Advertisement The judge said the violence included ''disturbing, cruel and sadistic methods of torturing a woman by a group of men', adding later that a group of men against one woman is, in itself, 'terrifying'. Judge Codd noted that this offending took place in the context of other criminal activity, namely 'enforcement' in relation to the alleged loss of drugs and that all the men were on bail at the time. She said this offending 'demonstrates the evils associated with the drugs trade' and its wider criminal associations. The judge noted Ms Ennis was humiliated by having her hair cut, describing this as an 'almost ritualistic medieval punishment, especially when directed at a female'. Advertisement The judge said it was a 'concerning feature' of the case that two men – Conroy and Rice - by the age of 20 were 'capable of inflicting such cruelty and depravity', but said it was 'not insignificant' that they had difficult backgrounds. The judge commended the gardai for their intervention, the thoroughness of their investigation and the empathy shown to the victim. Judge Codd noted that but for the intervention of the gardaí, the men could be facing more serious charges, and said the harm caused to Ms Ennis was the 'most serious type' within the range of the charge of assault causing harm. She said the victim impact statement conveyed the 'unimaginable traumatic effect' of the offending on Ms Ennis. The judge said the victim had shown 'remarkable courage and dignity' and wished her well in her recovery and in the future. Advertisement She noted the victim's evidence that all of the men were involved in assaulting her. The judge also noted that some of the men indicated they had been using drugs that day, which she said may explain their conduct, but did not excuse it. The judge said the accused men 'must have left aside all humanity' that day. Judge Codd noted that the court heard evidence that the men told the injured party a 'black man' was coming to rape her and described this as a 'threat of the most misogynistic and racist kind'. The judge said she had taken into account the men's guilty pleas, their circumstances and the other mitigation before the court. Judge Codd said Rice was the 'main ringleader' who acted as 'inquisitor' in relation to the missing drugs, made 'vicious threats' and heated implements which were used to burn the victim. She said Rice's level of culpability was within the 'exceptional level' for the offence of false imprisonment, and that he used 'sadistic torture and threats' against the 'defenceless woman'. The judge noted Rice denied physically assaulting the injured party in a psychological report, which she said is 'at odds' with the offence and was not put to gardai during cross-examination. She handed Rice a sentence of 15 years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. The judge said Conroy was 'one of the main movers' in this offending, 'eclipsed only by the actions of Rice'. She said he was 'centrally involved' and imposed a sentence of 13 years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. Handing McMahon a sentence of 12 years, Judge Codd noted he allowed his flat to be used, 'facilitated and actively took part' in the offending, but was not the 'main mover'. She noted he expressed shame that he was involved in an offence involving violence against women. McMahon's son, Keogh was jailed for nine years for his involvement. The judge noted Keogh's previous convictions and that he was part of the group which falsely imprisoned and assaulted the injured party. Judge Codd noted that Walshe's car was used to transport the victim to the flat and that he shared a recording of the attack, which demonstrated a 'lack of empathy and moral compass'. Previous convictions The judge said Walshe has no 'significant history of offending', and at the time, was 'effectively a first-time offender'. She handed Walshe a sentence of 11 years with the final two-and-a-half years suspended on strict conditions . The court heard McMahon has 27 previous convictions, including drug dealing and possession, burglary, robbery and malicious damage. Keogh has 124 previous convictions, including drug dealing and possession, possession of knives, assault causing harm and escaping custody. Conroy has 89 previous convictions including drug dealing and possession, burglary and possession of knives. Rice has 12 previous convictions including drug dealing and possession while Walshe has one previous conviction. The maximum sentences for false imprisonment and assault causing harm are life and 10 years respectively. The judge backdated the sentences to when each of the men individually went into custody. Defence counsel asked the court to take into account their clients' guilty pleas, their personal circumstances, expressions of remorse and the contents of letters and documents submitted on their behalf. The court heard that four of the men grew up in circumstances of neglect and poverty, while Walshe grew up with a supportive family, and his offending was described as 'out of character'. Fionnuala O'Sullivan SC, defending Rice, said she was not instructed to challenge the prosecution's case and asked the court to note her client's position that he accepts his role, but denies assaulting the injured party. She said Rice was born addicted to methadone and his parents both had significant addiction issues. Counsel said her client had a 'chaotic' early life, and at 16, 'began to lose his way'. She asked the court to take into account Rice's youth at the time. Patrick Gageby SC defending McMahon said his client regrets opening the front door and is ashamed to be involved with any violence against women. He said his client had a long period without offending, but has a longstanding drug addiction. Counsel said McMahon fell back into trouble following the death of his wife eight years ago. Mr Gageby asked the court to consider the condition of McMahon's home at the time of the offence, that he has no signs of wealth and will be homeless upon his release from custody. Dean Kelly SC, defending Keogh, said his client experienced the 'most profound neglect and dysfunction' as a child. His client's parents were in active addiction at that time and Keogh also experienced homelessness as a child. Mr Kelly said Keogh's early childhood experiences gave him a 'horror' of intoxicants, but this changed following the death of his grandfather when he was in his late teens and developed further while he was in custody in his mid-20s. A psychological report places Keogh at high risk of re-offending and counsel noted it referred to his client's use of violence to maintain his social standing and avoid violence. Mr Kelly asked the court to consider his client's admissions, that there is no evidence that he was involved in planning this offence and that Keogh, like his father, will be homeless post-release. Dominic McGinn SC, for Conroy, outlined that his client was born with a heroin addiction and was later placed into foster care. He said Conroy fell into addiction as an older teenager, and as a result of his choices, has lost the last three years to drugs and incarceration. Mr McGinn asked the court to take into account his client's youth, that his previous offending does not include violence and that Conroy was the first to plead guilty. James Dwyer SC, for Walshe, said his client started an apprenticeship after finishing school, has a good work history and was involved with youth services. Mr Dwyer noted references handed to the court on behalf of Walshe describe this offending as 'out of character' and a letter from his family expresses their remorse for what was suffered by Ms Ennis. He said his client has a number of protective factors, including a supportive family and noted Walshe's youth at the time. Injuries Ms Ennis was left with a broken eye socket, broken cheekbone, broken nasal bone, broken elbow, burns, dislocated teeth, bruising and lacerations across her head and scalp among other injuries. She required skin grafts, staples to her scalp and later had surgery to remove a disc in her back, the court heard. She spent three weeks in hospital in the immediate aftermath of the assault. In her victim impact statement, which was read out by the investigating officer, Ms Ennis said she was 'petrified' in the flat. 'If police didn't come in through that door that day, I was sure I was dead,' she said, describing the men as 'animals'. 'I was beaten, stabbed and burnt – tortured to confess to something I knew nothing about,' she said. '...The smell of my skin burning, I will never get that smell out of my mind again,' she said, adding that she was 'completely helpless' and outnumbered by the eight men. 'I never knew humanity could be so cruel,' she said. Detective Garda Peter Guyett told the court that at the time of the incident, Ms Ennis and her then partner were staying with one of the men whose case is still before the court. While there, the woman became aware this man was holding drugs in his house. On the day in question, this man and another person approached the woman in the house and told her: 'Come on, we've to go', before she was put into an Audi containing two other men and driven to Henrietta House. Missing drugs There were eight men in the flat and a 'baby-faced' man, who later emerged to be Rice, started interrogating her about a €90,000 batch of cocaine that had gone missing from the home she was staying in. Rice accessed Ms Ennis's Facebook account and demanded her mother's address, threatening to rape her teenage daughter who was staying there. He started hitting her across the head with a metal pole before he 'lost control' and started hitting her all over her body, the court heard. An older man, later identified as McMahon, whose flat it was, held a hatchet up to her face while his son Keogh, referred to in court as 'Sparky' hit her across the head with a pole. Conroy kicked her face. 'Every person there hit her,' Ms Cummings said. 'Not one of them didn't get involved'. She said the men would walk into the next room so they had more space in order to run at the victim with speed while assaulting her. While she was being hit and kicked, Rice heated the head of a hammer up and pressed it 'over and over' against her bare legs, the court heard. They cut her hair which the woman later described as 'the ultimate humiliation'. At one point, she heard the men on the phone to their 'boss' who said: 'Strip her off and get her into bed and bugger her.' They didn't do this but they told her a 'black man' was coming to rape her, the court heard. The man whose house she was staying in was told by the others to get involved and he cut her legs with some sort of blade. They used an aerosol can and a lighter as a makeshift blow torch to burn her. Ms Ennis thought the incident lasted for an hour and a half, but CCTV footage showed she was in the flat for three hours before gardaí entered, the court heard. Ms Ennis was visibly bloodied and bruised, extremely distressed and there was blood on the chair under her as well as clumps of hair scattered around the flat. The men tried to pretend that she had been injured outside by a third party and they were helping to clean her up, but Ms Ennis was taken to another room where she disclosed that they had been torturing her. 'I was being beaten to a pulp by all these men for absolutely no reason,' she later told gardaí. 'They used steel poles, hammers, makeshift blowtorches and lighters to torture me.' In her victim impact statement, Ms Ennis said that the men had tortured her family information out of her and the threat of rape against her daughter had destroyed her. She said she now isolates herself from her family so they will never be in danger again. She said the torture she endured was the longest three hours of her life and she continues to suffer from flashbacks, constant headaches, pain all over her body 'from all the hits I took that day'. She is still waiting on a psychological appointment, she said. Ireland Woman was tortured over false missing drugs accusa... Read More 'What happened to me is something I will never forget,' she said. 'I will never forgive those sick human beings for what they have done to me.' Concluding her statement, she said: 'To the people who did this to me: I hope you can sleep well at night, because I most certainly can't.' In text messages read out in court, one of the men boasted to a friend during the incident that they had a 'hostage' and had 'cut her up', to which this unidentified man replied: 'quality'. Phone video footage taken inside the flat that day was also played in court, which showed the woman bloodied and distressed and a hammer being heated up on a hob.
Irish Times
41 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Teenager (19) faces trial on inciting hatred charge over suspected homophobic assault
A young man has been sent forward for trial charged with inciting hatred over a suspected homophobic assault on a young man on a Dublin Bus three years ago. Mark Sheehan (26) suffered facial injuries when he and his group got a bus home in the Templeogue area of south Dublin at about 4am on August 18th, 2022. His alleged attacker (now aged 19) appeared at the Dublin Children's Court, where prosecutors served him with a book of evidence. Judge Áine Clancy granted a return for trial order, sending him forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has greater sentencing powers. The case will be listed for mention on October 17th. READ MORE Mr Sheehan had been out socialising with friends in The George nightclub on Dame Street. An incident occurred on his journey home that led to him being taken to Tallaght University Hospital for treatment. Gardaí opened an investigation, resulting in the then 17-year-old boy facing a charge for assault causing harm to Mr Sheehan on the upper deck of the number 15 bus as it was near Templeogue. In late 2022, he appeared at the Dublin Children's Court, where bail with conditions was set. The court had granted him legal aid and directed that an interpreter be made available for his hearings. In February of the following year, he failed to appear at the court, which heard the youth had left the country. However, in April 2025, the accused was located and further charged with an offence of incitement to hatred by calling the complainant 'queer' and 'f****t' while travelling on the bus. He still cannot be named because the alleged incident took place when he was a minor and he has yet to enter a plea.
Irish Times
41 minutes ago
- Irish Times
‘Fights start at lunchtime and they just keep going': Capel Street workers share concerns after garda stabbing
As the shutters of Capel Street's shops start to rise on Wednesday morning, there is a noticeable Garda presence. Gardaí patrol the street where a fellow officer suffered multiple stab wounds the evening before. A police van is parked halfway up the street. Some passersby stop and point at the spot where the struggle ensued between a man armed with a knife and two gardaí – a moment now widely circulated on social media. Capel Street business owners have expressed safety concerns and a perception of a 'deterioration' in the area, after the attack. Paul Fitzpatrick, the manager on duty at Lenehans hardware store on Wednesday morning, says customers have told him 'they're afraid to come in because of the undesirable element on the street'. READ MORE 'When Capel Street is at its best it's absolutely buzzing; it's a great area,' says Fitzpatrick. 'It's like Temple Bar on the north side and if they can just control that it'd be a much better experience for everyone. 'The council has provided a lovely street and it's being ruined by the drug addicts and the drunks who are here from early in the morning,' he adds. 'That's the only problem with the street ... fights start at lunchtime and they just keep going.' [ Garda stabbed multiple times in 'unprovoked' Dublin city-centre attack Opens in new window ] Louis Copeland, the tailor and retailer, who is in his shop on Capel Street, says, however, 'security has improved' in recent months. 'I think since Jim O'Callaghan, the new Minister for Justice, has come in, I don't know whether he instigated, but certainly there's a better presence of Garda on the street,' says Copeland. Tailor and retailer Louis Copeland outside his shop on Capel Street. Photograph: Ella Sloane He believes the incident on Tuesday is 'an isolated case and Capel Street is safe'. 'It's a coincidence that the new Garda Commissioner was announced yesterday. Hopefully it might put more of a presence in the street,' he adds. Dublin City Council pedestrianised Capel Street in May 2022, creating a traffic-free stretch with new outdoor seating put in place. In the same year, the street was named by Time Out magazine as one of the coolest in the world , outranking the likes of Temple Bar and Grafton Street. Then came the Dublin riots. Cliff Nolan was one of the business owners affected by the night of public disorder in November 2023, when his bike shop on Capel Street was targeted by looters . Gardaí on Capel Street following the incident on Tuesday night in which a garda was stabbed. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins In a matter of minutes, Bike Stop was turned inside out with more than 10 expensive bikes stolen and other stock left badly damaged. Nolan believes the riots marked a shift in Dublin city centre. 'I think over the last few years the city does feel a little bit more ... not as safe as I felt before. 'Around when the riots happened, I think there was a shift. Or maybe it was post pandemic.' He said the stabbing on Tuesday evening was 'a shock to everyone' and 'could have been anywhere in the city'. He has observed an uptick in antisocial behaviour on Capel Street, 'particularly since they [Dublin City Council] made it traffic free and put benches down'. Nolan says 'gardaí doing regular patrols throughout the day' has helped. The garda stabbed on Tuesday evening had been conducting a routine patrol in the city when he and his colleague responded to reports of a man armed with a large blade. Another Capel Street business owner, who did not want to be named, said she was in her shop when the incident occurred just a few metres away. 'Capel Street has got such a bad name lately,' said the retailer, who fears her business 'definitely won't last' under the circumstances. 'I'm here 15 years and I've seen the deterioration in the area. 'There's a lot of this nonsense happening lately. A lot of people standing around the street drinking, and since they pedestrianised the street it has just got worse.' The business owner is one of a number on the street who have opted to lock their doors during trading hours and put a bell system in place. She worries this heightened security further deters customers who may already be hesitant to approach. 'I feel in danger, to be honest,' she says. 'I can't have my front door open to welcome people in. It's a deterrent when a customer walks up to the door and it's locked and they have to ring a bell.'
BreakingNews.ie
42 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Father of girl sexually abused by man she met on social media calls his actions 'callous and selfish'
The father of a vulnerable teenage girl has called the actions of a man who sexually abused his daughter after meeting her on social media as 'callous and selfish'. The 24-year-old man was convicted of attempted oral rape, sexual assault and engaging in a sexual act with a child under 15 following a Central Criminal Court trial earlier this month. Advertisement On Wednesday, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor sentenced him to six-and-a-half years' imprisonment with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. The man cannot be named by order of the court. He has no previous convictions. The court previously heard that the victim in this case was 14 at the time and is highly vulnerable. The man and the girl had engaged on social media before arranging to meet in person in Dublin. Advertisement The day after their first meeting in November 2023, they engaged in sex at his apartment, where the man also sexually assaulted the girl and attempted to rape her orally. Reading a victim impact statement on his daughter's behalf, her father said, 'My little girl was the victim of a crime, plain and simple. There is no other way to describe what happened to her', He described his daughter as 'too sweet and trusting' and said that is why she was taken advantage of, later calling the man's actions 'callous and selfish'. He said she went from an outgoing and friendly teenager to a 'scared' young girl who reverted to behaviours she had given up, including playing with dolls. He said she experienced sleeplessness, sadness and other mental effects. Advertisement The girl's father said she only felt safe at home under his protection, stopped going out and felt judged by others for her mistakes 'even though she hadn't committed any and no one knew what been through'. Later in the statement, he said a person would have to be his daughter's age and have her vulnerabilities and 'sweet, trusting, innocent view of the world to understand how excruciating the last two years has been for her'. 'I don't think you are capable of that level of empathy; otherwise, you would not have taken so much from her', he continued, describing the man's actions as 'selfish'. He said he has told this may be with the girl for the rest of her life, adding that it will always be with him and the rest of the family. Advertisement He said the only solace was that the jury 'saw you [the defendant] for what you are' and found him guilty. 'My hope for the future is that she never sees or hears about you again,' he said, 'That you fade into her past'. In letters of apology to the court and the injured party's family, the man said he was sorry and described his actions as immature and shameful. The man said he wanted the injured party's family to know, 'I'm not evil, I didn't think things through', as he should have. Advertisement He said he realised his mistakes can cause a lot of damage and apologised for his actions. He said he would 'avoid any risk of meeting a minor' and 'ensure everyone I talk to is an adult'. He said this was a 'wake-up call' about how a teenager and their family can be affected and noted his responsibility to ensure this never happens again. Ms Justice O'Connor noted the man's previous diagnosis of autism and his traits of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The judge said the age disparity is a significant factor and was particularly relevant as the victim was a 14-year-old with intellectual difficulties. The most significant aggravating factor is the effect the offending had on the victim, who continues to suffer as a result of the offending, said the judge. Ms Justice O'Connor said the man could not avail of the most significant mitigating factor as he did not plead guilty and took a trial date, but could not be penalised for it. She noted the defendant had no previous convictions and had very significant difficulties as a young child and was 'abandoned here' but was 'hardworking' and 'capable of overcoming adversity.' In the victim impact evidence, the girl's father said the family moved to protect her and give her relief from negative memories. He said her 'intimate secrets' were 'exposed' during the trial, 'stripping her right of privacy' and making her 'subject to scrutiny in front of a judge and jury'. His daughter only started to sleep better after the trial had concluded, and she was reassured she would never see the man again. He said one of his most important duties as a father was to protect her from harm. 'I failed to protect her against you. That will haunt me for the rest of my life'. He said he is more suspicious of others, overprotective and noted the impact on his other children. He described his daughter's engagement with gardaí and other agencies in the run-up to the trial, and that she wanted it to go away, not understanding his desire for justice. He said, 'that is how innocent she is', noting that she 'braved' the process 'for my sake' and in seeing his pain, she knew it was important to get through. He said she never complained, but her life was suspended over the last two years. He said he read this statement to her and she 'could see the pain in my voice and my face'. She told him she was glad it was over and she'd get her phone back. 'That shows her level of understanding of the process'. He said he hopes one day to be able to forgive the man for what he stole from his daughter and family for his and his family's sakes. He said he knew he would never forgive himself, but hoped he and the family could move on. Ms Justice O'Connor thanked the man for the 'eloquent and helpful' statement. She said the court couldn't imagine how painful and difficult it would have been for the man to prepare the statement, but said it was clear at all times that 'you are doing the very best for your daughter'. An investigating garda gave evidence that the injured party's family became concerned as they could not locate her using her phone or an AirTag. A sibling accessed the girl's social media in the hopes of finding her location and came across inappropriate messages between the injured party and the defendant. When the injured party arrived home later that evening, she appeared to be under the influence of something and told her sibling she'd had sexual intercourse with a man. Their father was made aware, and gardaí were immediately notified. The girl was taken to a sexual assault treatment unit and later helped gardai to identify an apartment complex where she had gone with the defendant. When interviewed by specialist gardaí, she said she met the men through social media and they made arrangements to meet in Dublin City Centre, where they hung out. The next day, they met again and went to his apartment. She told gardaí, they went to his bedroom and 'then we did it'. She said she later masturbated the man. She also described him putting his penis to her lips, but refusing to open her mouth and saying no. She said he got mad and asked, 'Why wouldn't I suck it?' The girl told gardaí he rolled her a joint, then they left his apartment and she returned home. CCTV was played during the trial, showing the girl and the defendant arriving and leaving the apartment complex together. The jury were also shown video captured of the social media messages seen by the girl's sibling. These messages included some graphic and explicit material sent by the man to the girl and explicit conversation between them before their first meeting. The man's apartment was searched in November 2023, and he was interviewed by gardaí in May 2024. He accepted having sex with the girl, that she masturbated and said he asked her for oral sex. He said he thought she was older than 17 and there were 'no red flags'. The investigating garda agreed with Michael O'Higgins SC, defending, that his client was co-operative when interviewed and gave his perspective. Mr O'Higgins read extracts from letters written by his client to the victim's family and to the court. The defendant said he was sorry for causing so much pain and sadness and acknowledged his responsibility. The man said he was 'immature', and it was 'shameful' that he had been 'so stupid', ignoring his responsibility as an adult. Mr O'Higgins asked the court to consider all of the circumstances in which this offending occurred. A psychological report was also submitted to the court, which outlined the defendant's background and assesses him at a medium risk of re-offending. Mr O'Higgins submitted that his client has shown some insight into his impact of his behaviour, but does not have a full understanding of the effect on the injured party. He asked the court for as much leniency as possible and to consider imposing a post-release supervision order as part of any sentence. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at or visit Rape Crisis Help.
