Man Jailed for Six Years for Brutal Rape of Teenager in West Cork

CORK: A 25-year-old man who subjected a 17-year-old student to a terrifying 20-minute ordeal—dragging her into a secluded grassy area in West Cork and raping her—has been sentenced to six years in prison.

Kyle Hayes Condon, of Pairc an Tobair in Clonakilty, Co Cork, appeared before the Central Criminal Court in Cork today for sentencing. He had previously pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including rape, sexual assault, assault causing harm, and false imprisonment of the teenager.

Details of the Assault and Drug Use

Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford was previously informed by Detective Garda Lisa O’Sullivan that the incident occurred in the early hours of February 16 this year. The victim was walking the final part of her journey home after getting a lift from a party. As she approached her house, Mr. Hayes Condon began following her and speaking to her.

Showing quick thinking, the girl, who was recording a Snapchat message at the time, allowed the recording to continue to capture the man’s voice.

Ms Justice Lankford noted that on the night of the attack, Mr. Hayes Condon was heavily intoxicated, having consumed an "enormous amount of cocaine," estimated to be about seven bags of the drug.

The court heard that Mr. Hayes Condon offered the teenager, who was a complete stranger to him, some cocaine. He then grabbed her from behind, dragged her onto a grassy area, and ignored her pleas for release, telling her to "shut up." He proceeded to tear off her underwear before raping her. Ms Justice Lankford stated the young girl was "terrified and believed she was about to be killed."

After 20 minutes, Mr. Hayes Condon permitted the girl to leave the area. She arrived home around 3 a.m. and immediately informed her parents, leading to a formal report to An Garda Síochána and an examination at a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit.

Victim Impact Statement: 'Used as a Rag Doll'

In a powerful victim impact statement read to the court, the teenager detailed the profound trauma she suffered. She found it difficult to leave her bed for weeks after the attack, stating she was "sleeping a lot more than usual" and "barely speaking to friends and family."

"I can’t even leave the house by myself without feeling like something like this might happen again. I feel unsafe walking alone," she said.

The teenager recalled noticing "scratches, bruises and cuts" on her body upon returning home, which made her feel "disgusting. Like I was used as a rag doll." She described having pain throughout her body and "endless headaches."

She emphasized the psychological impact of the attack occurring so close to her own home: "It made me feel so defeated. If it can happen so close to home it can happen anywhere... No one should have to lay there in fear that they might not make it home." She urged others in her position to "speak up" as they are "not alone."

Sentencing and Mitigating Factors

Defence barrister Elizabeth O’Connell, SC, stated that her client was deeply ashamed of his actions and had instructed Gardai that if there were any discrepancies between his and the victim’s account, the victim’s version should be accepted as the truth.

Ms Justice Lankford praised the victim for her "quick wittedness" in recording the man’s voice, noting it was "astute" of her to film him as he walked ahead of her.

Mr. Hayes Condon made full admissions to Gardai and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, a fact the court accepted as a mitigating factor. He has been in custody since February 19 and declined bail due to his shame. He also submitted a letter of apology, which the judge deemed genuine, noting his good work history and drug debt at the time of the offence.

Describing the offence as "serious," Ms Justice Lankford highlighted that the teenager had been treated with "degradation."

Mr. Hayes Condon was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, resulting in a six-year custodial sentence.