A Co Meath man has been jailed for six years by Mr Justice Philip O'Sullivan at the Central Criminal Court for raping his partner's 17-year-old cousin who was babysitting for them.
The 33-year-old defendant was convicted unanimously by a jury in December of raping and sexually assaulting the Co Cavan girl on December 30th, 1999. He cannot be named for legal reasons and had pleaded not guilty during the four-day trial.
Mr Justice O'Sullivan said the appropriate sentence was seven years but, taking mitigation circumstances into consideration, he left the sentence at six years for the rape and 18 months concurrent for the assault charge.
He said the victim had suffered from rumours that she consented to sex but the verdict had been therapeutic for her because she had been believed.
He said the victim impact report indicated that while the now 19-year-old woman had made a good recovery, she still had recurring nightmares.
Mr Justice O'Sullivan noted the evidence and written submissions as to the defendant's previous good character. It was accepted that the offence, which has devastated his family and ruined his still young life, was out of character.
Prosecuting counsel Mr Gerard Clarke SC said the incident happened in the defendant's home after he got home from a social function with his partner. She went to bed immediately as she was feeling unwell. The victim had been babysitting for the couple.