A Galway rapist who is serving a long prison term for attacks on two women could be released on July 3rd if he adheres to strict conditions to be placed on him by the Central Criminal Court.
Paul Cullinane (24), of Barry Avenue, Galway, was jailed for 10 1/2 years on April 14th, 1997, for raping a teenager in 1993. He was also jailed in 1994 for six years for another serious sexual assault and is serving the sentences concurrently.
The court was told that a couple, Ciaran and Jeannette Fitzpatrick, had a job offer for Cullinane in which he would be travelling the country canvassing work for their business.
Mr Fitzpatrick said he would have continuous daily mobile phone contact with Cullinane and would also meet him personally at least three times each month.
Mr Justice Flood said he "hoped and prayed" that Cullinane adhered to a regime after his release. If he did not abide by the conditions, he would be sent back to prison.
He said the situation was so serious he could not release Cullinane until he got assurances from some person or institution that a pattern of continued therapy and supervision would be provided for him.
He said he would not impose the conditions until he was satisfied that Cullinane could be released from prison.
One of the conditions would be that Cullinane could not go back to live in Galway, but the court needed indications of where he would live, how he would support himself and what steps he would be taking to deal with his other problems.
"I simply cannot expose the public to a risk," the judge said. Mr Maurice Gaffney SC, prosecuting, said his instructions were that the court should proceed with great caution.
The reasons for this were contained in one of the reports before the court. He was also instructed to direct the court's attention to the psychologist's report on the victim.
Cullinane had indicated he was not going back to live in Galway, and Mr Justice Flood said he would have "a much greater sense of security" if he had assurances on these matters.
Mr Patrick MacEntee SC, defending, said earlier this month that Cullinane had done everything possible while in prison to rehabilitate himself.
He had taken part in the Arbour Hill Prison's sex offenders therapy course, and had availed of educational facilities. He had also joined Alcoholics Anonymous and participated in an alternatives-to-violence course.
Mr MacEntee said the court also had letters from "serious people" who had seen Cullinane in custody and who attested to his achievements.