Rapist insults victim during hearing

A convicted rapist has been removed from court during his sentence hearing. He repeatedly interrupted proceedings, tried to sack his barrister, and called his victim, a grandmother in her 50s, a “filthy prostitute”.

Richard O’Brien, aged 57, of Arlington Lodge, Church St, Tralee, Co Kerry, lured his victim to a caravan in Dublin before raping her, assaulting her, and biting her during a sustained, vicious attack on March 19, 2011.

He then fled to the UK, before being extradited in 2013. He was found guilty by a jury earlier this year of rape, attempted rape, false imprisonment, and assault causing harm.