MARK BENNETT SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR RAPE IN CO DUBLIN AND CO LAOIS

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Co Dublin and Co Laois, Mark Bennett, aged 29, was sentenced to six years in prison by Mr. Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court for the heinous crime of raping a nine-year-old girl. The incident took place on a golf course, specifically at Sutton Golf Club, and the case has garnered significant media attention due to the severity of the offense and the circumstances surrounding it.

Mark Bennett, a resident of Moyclare Close in Baldoyle, Co Dublin, and also associated with Avondale Estate in Portarlington, Co Laois, pleaded guilty to the charge of raping the young girl in 1992. His criminal history includes previous convictions for arson in both Ireland and England, which added weight to the case and the sentencing considerations.

Following the court proceedings, the victim, her sister, and her father publicly expressed their desire for Bennett's name to be disclosed, and they conveyed their satisfaction with the outcome of the case. The family described the profound and lasting impact the assault has had on their lives. The victim herself has struggled with mental health issues, including an attempt at suicide in recent years, and has only recently begun to find some stability and peace.

During the sentencing, Mr. Justice Carney acknowledged the complexities of the case, noting that he had to carefully weigh all factors involved. Ultimately, he imposed a six-year prison term but decided to unconditionally suspend the final year of the sentence, considering Bennett's guilty plea and the fact that he did not contest the charges at trial.

Garda Dan Quinlan provided details to the prosecution, led by Maureen Clark SC, stating that Bennett lured the young girl into bushes at Sutton Golf Club, where the assault occurred. Bennett, in his defense, claimed that he himself had been a victim of sexual abuse as a child by a local shopkeeper, which was brought up during the court proceedings.

His defense counsel, Blaise O’Carroll SC, pointed out that there was no independent forensic evidence linking Bennett to the crime. He emphasized that Bennett’s guilty plea spared the victim from having to undergo a potentially traumatic trial, which could have devolved into a “swearing-match.” Mr. O’Carroll also highlighted that Bennett had been a victim of sexual abuse himself, adding a layer of complexity to the case.

Overall, the court’s decision reflects the gravity of the crime and the impact on the victim’s family, while also considering Bennett’s personal history and the circumstances of the case.