Suspended jail term for woman who made false rape report

A woman who made a false report of rape has received a six-month suspended jail sentence.

Zoe Fitchett, aged 26, of Drombohilly, Tousist, Kenmare, Co Kerry, had made a report to gardaí in Dunmanway on May 20, 2014, alleging an attack the previous day.

However, following a garda investigation, Ms Fitchett appeared before court on June 21 last on charges of having made a false report.

She entered a guilty plea at a hearing in September and sentencing had been deferred until yesterday, to await a probation report.

At Clonakilty District Court, Judge James McNulty said the defendant had told a lie to “cover the tracks for an afternoon that was entirely consensual”.

However, he said he did not want to be harsh with Ms Fitchett, who he said had had a “tough life”.

He said she made “a foolish mistake” and had been immature.

He sentenced her to six months in prison, suspended for two years.