THE sentence hearing of a Co Roscommon farmer convicted of rape was postponed yesterday because a probation report had not been completed.
The 51 year old father of five was found guilty by a jury in April of raping and sexually assaulting a married woman from Co Galway in his home on July 30th, 1995. He had denied the charges during a four day trial at the Central Criminal Court.
Defence counsel Mr Den is Vaughan Buckley SC said a probation officer was to have visited his client in custody last Monday.
However, the interview did not take place because the defendant thought he should speak to his defence team first. The defence was willing to go ahead without the probation report, Mr Buckley said.
Mr Justice Flood said he needed the report before dealing with the question of sentence. He adjourned the case with the defendant in continuing custody to June 13th.