More court reports in brief.
Life sentence for sex assault cut to 13 years
A life sentence imposed on a serial rapist for sexually assaulting a young woman just months after being freed from prison, having served a 10-year rape sentence, has been reduced to 13 years at the Court of Criminal Appeal.
A 10-year post-release supervision period was also imposed on Gerard Kelly. The three-judge appeal court ruled yesterday that the sexual assault by Kelly was not of such an exceptional nature that it merited the imposition of a life sentence.
Kelly (46), Moreen Avenue, Sandyford, Dublin, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court in January 2007 to aggravated sexual assault in September 2004.
Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed a life sentence.
Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, sitting with Mr Justice Daniel Herbert and Ms Justice Maureen Clark, said the court would replace the life sentence with a 16-year prison sentence with the final three years suspended.
While the circumstances of this crime were "very shocking", the appeal court believed the imposition of a life sentence amounted to an error in principle, Mr Justice Finnegan said.
The Central Criminal Court had heard Kelly grabbed his victim while she walked to a friend's house and pushed her on to waste ground after telling her, if she made noise, that he would "slice" her.
He also threatened to burn down her family home if she told anyone about the incident and he gave details to indicate he knew her address and family members.
The victim offered Kelly her phone and money but he said he did not want them. He handed her phone and money back when the assault ended after telling her several times he was sorry.
Armagh man has 'extensive' file
An "extensive" Garda file on the alleged leader of the INLA in Dublin is currently being compiled, the Special Criminal Court has heard.
Declan Duffy (34), from Armagh city, with an address at Hanover Street West, Dublin, was charged last month with membership of the INLA on June 22nd.
He had been refused bail after the court heard that gardaí believed he would continue to direct INLA activities and attempt to procure guns and explosives if freed.
Prosecution solicitor Michael O'Donovan told the court that an "extensive" Garda file was being compiled dealing with "alleged activities over a long period of time" and that it was anticipated to be ready in October.
€60,000 bail for drug dealer lost
A woman and her elderly father have lost €60,000 bail money they put up for her former fiance who had been remanded in custody on drug charges but absconded while awaiting sentence.
Jason Quinn (35), Glin Road, Coolock, had pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine worth about €200,000 at Blanchardstown shopping centre on July 7th, 2006, but failed to appear for sentencing.
Audrey Burgess who put up €40,000 bail, said the last time she saw him was some days before his scheduled sentence hearing in April when he said he was "going on the beer" and told her "to let the barristers do what they do best". Her father John Burgess (71) put up €20,000.
Judge Katherine Delahunt said Ms Burgess had been aware of the ramifications of putting up bail and knew exactly what her commitment was and ordered that the €60,000 bail money be estreated, or forfeited, within seven days.