Cork man jailed for rape

A man has been jailed for five and a half years following the rape of a girl in Cork city on Christmas Eve in 1998.

William O’Leary, 20, from Ardmore Avenue, Knocknaheeny was identified after his victim gave a description of the motorcycle he had at the time.

Last February he pleaded guilty to the charges of raping the 16-year-old girl in a laneway in Cork city.

Today the Central Criminal Court heard how the girl was held by the throat while she was being raped.