THE judge who sentenced Joseph Cummins to 15 years in prison for the brutal rape and robbery of a Tipperary pensioner said he was not out on bail at the time of the offence as a result of “soft sentencing” by members of the judiciary.

A Tipperary man has been jailed for 15 years for raping a 75-year-old widow after he broke into her house.

A 20-year-old Tipperary man was yesterday convicted of the rape of a 75-year-old widow two years ago.

MANY women who are raped refuse to press charges as they fear having to go to court and give evidence.

THE gardaí who investigated the brutal rape of a 75-year-old widow were yesterday praised for their work in capturing and securing the conviction of Joseph Cummins.

A 20-year-old Tipperary man has been convicted by a jury of raping a 75-year-old widow at her home two years ago.

Four people have been arrested in connection with a murder in Tallaght last December.

An unemployed man today faced a court charged with the St Stephen's Day murder of a married man in Tallaght.

A man is due in court this morning in connection with a fatal shooting in Tallaght on St Stephen’s night.

The man who was shot dead in Tallaght in Dublin on St Stephen's night has been identified.