MAN JAILED FOR 7 YEARS FOR BRUTAL RAPE IN DUBLIN
A man named Eamon Feeney was sentenced to seven years in prison for the rape of a woman after a disturbing attack in Dublin.The victim, who is in her early 40s and lives alone, recounted to Mr Justice O'Higgins that she believed Feeney was going to suffocate her with improvised handcuffs made from plastic tie straps.
She feared for her life and thought she was going to be murdered.
The court heard that Feeney, a 31-year-old married man and father of one, waited in his car outside her home after she returned from a night out.
He had also disconnected her phone to prevent her from calling for help.
Feeney pleaded guilty in May to the crime committed on March 22, 1997.
The judge emphasized that assaults of this nature were unacceptable and imposed the minimum sentence of seven years, considering the circumstances.
The court viewed as significant that Feeney’s attack was premeditated, supported by the fact that he used handcuffs, waited in his car, and disconnected the victim’s phone.
Investigations revealed that he used plastic tie straps in his work as a motor mechanic, which he intended to use for burglary.
The handcuffs involved three connected plastic straps.
Feeney had earlier consumed more than ten drinks in pubs and showed remorse, attending alcohol counselling since the incident.
His wife expressed her shock and stated she would stand by him despite the incident.
