A teenager who was just home from a night out with friends was attacked by a 24-year-old stranger who dragged her on to a muddy lane where he sexually assaulted and raped her, and he was jailed for six years on Monday.<\/p>\n
Kyle Hayes-Condon, aged 25, of P\u00e1irc An Tobair, Clonakilty, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to counts including assault causing harm, sexual assault, false imprisonment and rape.<\/p>\n
The fact that the 17-year-old had the presence of mind to film and to record the voice of her attacker in the moments before anything happened was crucial in leading garda\u00ed to the home of the accused without delay. Ms Justice Siobh\u00e1n Lankford expressed her sympathies to the teenager and commended her for her \u201cquick-wittedness on the night which was crucial in the investigation\u201d.<\/p>\n
The injured party, who is now 18, said: \u201cI could see my house just before he dragged me down the shortcut and started doing the most unimaginable things to me that I or anyone would never think would happen so close to home.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“It made me feel so defeated \u2014 if it can happen so close to home, it can happen anywhere.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Detective Garda Lisa O\u2019Sullivan investigated the attack, which happened at around 3am on February 16 this year in West Cork. The teenager got a lift home from a party but got out of the car some distance away and walked the last leg of the journey.<\/p>\n
She was nearly home when Kyle Hayes-Condon emerged. He had spent the evening drinking and taking cocaine. He later told garda\u00ed he consumed seven deals of cocaine that day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He followed the teenager on the opposite side of the road, crossed, and initiated contact. She happened to be making a Snapchat voice note to her friend at that moment and let the recording continue so that his voice was captured. She also managed to make a brief video recording of him before anything happened.<\/p>\n
Judge Lankford noted: \u201cHe offered her cocaine. He grabbed her from behind and dragged her to a grassy area. The ground was soft and mucky. She got scratches and abrasions on her legs. She repeatedly said no and begged him to release her. He told her to shut up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He held her down with his body weight and his hand across her mouth. He pulled and ripped her clothing and underwear, sexually assaulting and raping her.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was absolutely terrified and believed she would be killed. He told her afterwards that she could leave. She arrived home at 3.02am, she told her parents, and they were at (their local garda station) at 3.11am,\u201d the judge said.<\/p>\n
She imposed a sentence of seven years with the last year suspended.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Defence senior counsel Elizabeth O\u2019Connell said in mitigation that the accused pleaded guilty, never equivocated from the central wrong of what he did, and said if there was any difference between what the teenager said and what he said, then her account should be accepted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She said he was ashamed of what he had done, came from a decent background and was remorseful. He is dealing with his drug addiction issues.<\/p>\n
The victim said: \u201cSince the incident I have found that everyday tasks that were once normal to me are much more difficult now. I often feel unsafe in situations where I should feel secure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first few weeks were definitely the hardest. I was in bed most of the day, I was sleeping a lot more than usual, I was barely speaking to friends and family, I wasn’t on my phone much, I just sat in bed wondering why someone would do such a disgusting thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel unsafe walking alone, I am always very cautious of who is around me. I have to he dropped to work\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n I have gotten a lot better but the trauma still continues. I am able to get out of bed although it is still a struggle which has a huge impact on my school life.\n <\/p>\n
\u201cThe place he dragged me down to used to just be a shortcut me and my friends.\u2026 Now I will never walk through there again. It will never just be a shortcut to me anymore.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel as a teenager all you want to do is live your life to the fullest and I was, and I still try but there’s some things I cannot do. I used to be able to talk to anyone who I came across, I did that with him and now I feel on edge anytime a man comes close to me that I don’t know.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat night I had come home with scratches, bruises and cuts. Seeing these on my body made me feel disgusting, like I was used as a rag-doll. I had pain all over my body. In my back, my legs and I had endless headaches.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“No one should have to lay there in fear that they might not make it home. No one should have to run home in fear that the person will come after you again. No one should have to go home and tell their parents what had happened. No one should go through something so traumatic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis experience has had a huge impact on me, changing how I see myself and how I interact with other people. It’s not just a moment in time but it’s something that has reshaped my entire perspective on life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I find myself reflecting on my past more often, and I realise that my interactions are now more thoughtful and intentional.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n I want to share this to help people understand how serious what I went through is and how it will continue to affect my life.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n
“It’s important for me to carry the depth of these emotions and experiences because I believe that by sharing my story I can foster empathy and understanding in others. I hope that by opening up about my journey I can encourage other people who might be facing similar challenges to speak up and know they are not alone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She was extremely grateful for the support she got from family, garda\u00ed and others. She asked that the defendant would never contact her or her family after his release from jail. Judge Lankford directed that Kyle Hayes-Condon would stay away from them for 40 years after his release from prison, which she commented, should be taken to mean forever.<\/p>\n