'Speak up and know you are not alone,' says West Cork teenager as man jailed for raping her
The judge imposed a sentence of seven years with the last year suspended. File photo
A teenager who was just home from a night out with friends was attacked by a 24-year-old stranger who dragged her on to a muddy lane where he sexually assaulted and raped her, and he was jailed for six years on Monday.
Kyle Hayes-Condon, aged 25, of Páirc An Tobair, Clonakilty, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to counts including assault causing harm, sexual assault, false imprisonment and rape.
The fact that the 17-year-old had the presence of mind to film and to record the voice of her attacker in the moments before anything happened was crucial in leading gardaí to the home of the accused without delay. Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford expressed her sympathies to the teenager and commended her for her “quick-wittedness on the night which was crucial in the investigation”.
The injured party, who is now 18, said: “I could see my house just before he dragged me down the shortcut and started doing the most unimaginable things to me that I or anyone would never think would happen so close to home.
"It made me feel so defeated — if it can happen so close to home, it can happen anywhere.”
Detective Garda Lisa O’Sullivan investigated the attack, which happened at around 3am on February 16 this year in West Cork. The teenager got a lift home from a party but got out of the car some distance away and walked the last leg of the journey.
She was nearly home when Kyle Hayes-Condon emerged. He had spent the evening drinking and taking cocaine. He later told gardaí he consumed seven deals of cocaine that day.
He followed the teenager on the opposite side of the road, crossed, and initiated contact. She happened to be making a Snapchat voice note to her friend at that moment and let the recording continue so that his voice was captured. She also managed to make a brief video recording of him before anything happened.
Judge Lankford noted: “He offered her cocaine. He grabbed her from behind and dragged her to a grassy area. The ground was soft and mucky. She got scratches and abrasions on her legs. She repeatedly said no and begged him to release her. He told her to shut up.”
He held her down with his body weight and his hand across her mouth. He pulled and ripped her clothing and underwear, sexually assaulting and raping her.
“She was absolutely terrified and believed she would be killed. He told her afterwards that she could leave. She arrived home at 3.02am, she told her parents, and they were at (their local garda station) at 3.11am,” the judge said.
She imposed a sentence of seven years with the last year suspended.
Defence senior counsel Elizabeth O’Connell said in mitigation that the accused pleaded guilty, never equivocated from the central wrong of what he did, and said if there was any difference between what the teenager said and what he said, then her account should be accepted.
She said he was ashamed of what he had done, came from a decent background and was remorseful. He is dealing with his drug addiction issues.
The victim said: “Since the incident I have found that everyday tasks that were once normal to me are much more difficult now. I often feel unsafe in situations where I should feel secure.
“The first few weeks were definitely the hardest. I was in bed most of the day, I was sleeping a lot more than usual, I was barely speaking to friends and family, I wasn't on my phone much, I just sat in bed wondering why someone would do such a disgusting thing.
“I feel unsafe walking alone, I am always very cautious of who is around me. I have to he dropped to work…
“The place he dragged me down to used to just be a shortcut me and my friends.… Now I will never walk through there again. It will never just be a shortcut to me anymore.
“I feel as a teenager all you want to do is live your life to the fullest and I was, and I still try but there's some things I cannot do. I used to be able to talk to anyone who I came across, I did that with him and now I feel on edge anytime a man comes close to me that I don't know.
“That night I had come home with scratches, bruises and cuts. Seeing these on my body made me feel disgusting, like I was used as a rag-doll. I had pain all over my body. In my back, my legs and I had endless headaches.
"No one should have to lay there in fear that they might not make it home. No one should have to run home in fear that the person will come after you again. No one should have to go home and tell their parents what had happened. No one should go through something so traumatic.
“This experience has had a huge impact on me, changing how I see myself and how I interact with other people. It's not just a moment in time but it's something that has reshaped my entire perspective on life.
"I find myself reflecting on my past more often, and I realise that my interactions are now more thoughtful and intentional.
"It's important for me to carry the depth of these emotions and experiences because I believe that by sharing my story I can foster empathy and understanding in others. I hope that by opening up about my journey I can encourage other people who might be facing similar challenges to speak up and know they are not alone.”
She was extremely grateful for the support she got from family, gardaí and others. She asked that the defendant would never contact her or her family after his release from jail. Judge Lankford directed that Kyle Hayes-Condon would stay away from them for 40 years after his release from prison, which she commented, should be taken to mean forever.
- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.
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