Woman waives her right to anonymity so Aidan Kestell (55) can be named
‘I am no longer a victim but a real survivor’: Woman speaks after man jailed for her rape in Dublin parkThe court heard the woman had been receiving a large number of messages from an anonymous sender for several years before she was raped. During the investigation, gardaí traced the messages, some of which were sexual and explicit, to a phone owned by the accused.A man has been jailed for 7½ years for the rape of his wife’s friend in a Dublin park almost five years ago.
‘The match was spoiled by drunken posh boys in and out of the bar’: Readers share their views on Six Nations atmosphere at AvivaSt Patrick’s Day: All you need to know about this weekend’s parades and eventsMs Doyle also called for more to be done in relation to violence against women. “Violence, sexual assault, rape and murder of women in this country is on the increase over the last number of years. It can happen anytime, anywhere. We need more than just vigils and conversations.
“The actions of the predator that is Aidan Kestell have caused me immense suffering. During the investigation, it was found that the vile texts, photos, videos and stalking I had been subjected to for three and a half years prior to the rape were from him too. He noted Kestell had first denied the offences and then gave a “grudging acceptance” that had come about in “a preposterous way”. The judge said he utterly failed to see how that could be co-operation with the investigation.
At an earlier hearing, Ms Doyle said the sentencing hearing was an important step as it would close the “four-and-a-half year sentence I’ve served since the attack”. Garda Leona Bellew told Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, that the victim was a longstanding friend of Kestell’s wife and was among the guests at a party in his house on the night in question.
After reaching Hartstown Park, the next thing the victim remembered was lying on the ground in agony. She realised she was being raped, and she then tried to fight off her attacker, who she realised was Kestell.The court heard the woman spent the weekend trying to process what had happened before going to a friend’s house the following Monday and telling her about the rape.
Kestell gave evidence during the trial, admitting he told some lies to gardaí. He said there had been a consensual sexual interaction with the victim on the night in question. Mr McGinn said his client has a solid work history and is a father of three adult children. He told the court that Kestell’s marriage is “no longer viable” since his conviction.
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