Irish Soldier from Londonderry Awaits Sentencing for Dublin Rape Conviction

A woman who was raped by an Irish soldier from Londonderry stated that his actions led her to suicidal thoughts. Kielan Mooney, aged 30, with an address at Bloomfield Park, Derry, was found guilty of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in a Dublin court last week. The assault occurred in July 2021 at a Dublin hotel. At a pre-sentencing hearing on Tuesday, the court was informed that prosecutors have suggested a sentence of 10 to 15 years. In her victim impact statement, the woman conveyed that her life was merely commencing when Mooney attacked her. She stated, “What happened changed my life, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, no 21-year-old should go through this.” She further described informing her family about the rape as “one of the most heartbreaking experiences,” especially the contemplation of her grandmother’s awareness of the events. She added, “Never in my life did I think that a man was to take something from me I could never get back.” Testimony presented during the trial indicated that the two individuals were in bed when Mooney subjected her to anal rape. She affirmed to the jury that she had not consented to this act, that it caused her pain, and that despite her requests for him to cease, he continued. Following this, she withdrew to the bathroom and reached out to a friend. Mooney then removed her from the bathroom and compelled her to engage in oral sex. She did not give her consent for this, subsequent to which he propelled her onto the bed and engaged in vaginal intercourse with her. She recounted being in a hysterical state upon the arrival of her friends to the room, at which point Mooney was removed from the premises. Upon his arrest, Mooney asserted that no anal sex had occurred and that any sexual activity that did take place was consensual. The victim explained that the rape had severely impacted her mental well-being, resulting in her entering a “dark place and using alcohol,” but noted that she had begun to reclaim her life through therapy. Mooney, for whom seven signed affidavits attesting to his character were provided by family and community members, is now slated for inclusion on the sex offenders register. The formal sentencing procedure has been postponed until 20 January.