A MILDLY mentally retarded man who now has a steady relationship with the woman he buggered four years ago has had his sentence date adjourned again to October 30th next when the case will be finalised.
The Central Criminal Court was told the 42 year old Dublin widower committed the offence while under the delusion he was engaged to her.
Mr Justice Flood noted that Dr Art O'Connor had reported he was happy with the defendant's progress.
The man pleaded guilty in 1993 to committing rape under Section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 on May 25th, 1992. His case has been adjourned on a number of occasions since.
When originally remanding the defendant on bail, Mr Justice Flood had warned him he faced a sentence of up to life in jail if he re offended.
Det Garda Alan Baily said at a later hearing that after his release on bail the defendant had renewed contact with the victim and they were now in a relationship.
Mr Justice Flood said the couple could continue to see each other, but the defendant could not live with her.