A Cork man who raped an American student has been jailed for six years and placed on the sex offenders' register.
Kevin Healy (25), of Gort na Fludaigh, Beal Atha 'n Ghaorthaigh threatened to kill his then 21 year old unless she stopped screaming. He apologised to her after the rape, and took her mobile phone and student identification card.
He pleaded guilty to oral rape and aggravated sexual assault of the woman at Magazine Road on November 7, 2004 and to robbing a garda radio valued at €2,000.
The woman told Mr Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court that her life has never been the same since the rape. Simple things such as going to the grocery store , church or a mailbox had become "terrifying tasks" that she was unable to complete without the assistance of a friend.
Healy had threatened to murder her and she decided that "rather than leave her body to be violated by a pervert" she would surrender. "He took my chastity," she added.
Healy told the court that his conduct that night was inexcusable. "Sorry is only a five letter word, that is all I can say, but I really mean it."
He said he hoped to use his time in prison to continue to confront himself and hoped that at some stage he could forgive himself. "I hope also to be forgiven but I don't expect to be."
Mr Justice Carney placed Healy on the sex offenders' register and said his crime was "quite frightful". He imposed six year sentences on the oral rape and aggravated sexual assault charges and three years on the robbery and suspended the last 18 months of the sentences.