Defendant jailed for three years for rape
ARDEE man, Christopher Minogue (29) has been sentenced to three years for raping a woman at a house party in the town over two years ago.
Minogue's (29) victim later stated that she felt like 'a piece of evidence' as she was being examined afterwards.
In a statement to the court, the victim described her life as ' a nightmare' since the incident.
Minogue of Rockfield Close, Stoney Lane, Ardee pleaded guilty to the rape of the 27-year-old victim in an apartment bedroom on October 12, 2009.
The court heard Minogue had consumed over twenty drinks before the incident and had to be stopped several times from entering the room where the woman slept.
Mr Justice Paul Carney said it was the 'experience of the court' that a young man taking that amount of drink, along with a cannabis joint, can wake up the next morning unaware that he has committed homicide or rape.
He accepted that the Director of Public Prosecutions found the offence was at the lower end of the scale.
Mr Justice Carney said he had taken into account the''inherent grave nature of the offence' and the effect it had on the victim. He sentenced Minogue to three years in prison with the final 18 months suspended on condition that he stay away from the victim upon his release from prison.
Mr Justice Carney said he had also taken into consideration Minogue's previous good character and genuine remorse.
