13 years for attack like ‘rape with machete’

A convicted killer and registered sex offender whose sexual assault of his former partner was likened to a rape with a machete has been jailed for 13 years.

Walter Morrissey, aged 70, of Upper Bridge St, Callan, Co Kilkenny, was found guilty of leaving his former partner with life-threatening injuries after an aggravated sexual assault at his home.

The Central Criminal Court heard medical evidence that Morrissey had used his fist to tear a 6cm rip in the woman’s vagina. When she was brought to hospital, a doctor remarked that he did not know how she was still alive.