A Clare man who claimed he was due to marry his teenage lover has been sentenced to three years in prison for the defilement of a child.
The 22-year-old, who cannot be identified by court order, is a member of the Travelling community and had pleaded Not Guilty during his trial, claiming the relations between him and the then 15 year old girl were consensual.
The accused in this case said he believed the complainant was 17 at the time he brought her from her home in Galway to County Clare, intending to marry her.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the incident took place at an Ennis Guest house and following the guilty verdict Judge Mary Ellen Ring said she didn’t accept there was any serious talk of marriage between the two, saying the man knew the girl was in school.
The 22 year old was given a three year sentence with the last 18 months suspended on condition that he have no contact with the victim for five years.
The Judge said she would not allow his identity to be published because she was concerned that "any mistake will lead to problems for others and members of his family – as the the man’s name was common amongst his peers in the area he comes from.
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