‘serious matter’ | 

Finglas woman (37) pleads guilty to making false rape allegation against man

Ann Marie Keenan (37) repeatedly maintained her claim during the garda investigation, a court heard

Today at 17:20

A woman made a false rape allegation against a man, “sticking to her story” when gardai put the inconsistencies against her, a court heard.

Ann Marie Keenan (37) repeatedly maintained her claim during the garda investigation, a court heard.

The case was adjourned at Dublin District Court for finalisation on a later date.

Keenan was charged with making false statements tending to show rape offences had taken place. The statements were made at Fitzgibbon Street garda station on August 13 last year, and January 4 and February 14 this year.

Keenan, with an address at Kildonan Avenue, Finglas, pleaded guilty to the charges, which are under Section 12 (a) of the Criminal Law Act.

A garda sergeant told Judge Bryan Smyth the DPP had consented to the case being dealt with in the district court on a plea of guilty only.

Outlining the evidence, he said gardai took a report from the accused in relation to a rape allegation at a location in Dublin. She alleged she was the victim of an assault, leading to an investigation being launched.

A house party was referred to and when a female relation of the accused was spoken to she denied it ever happened.

The accused had told gardai she went to a sexual assault treatment unit but the hospital had no record of this.

Keenan also stated she had spoken to a garda but there was no garda by the name she had given.

Gardai took a statement where the witness declaration was explained to Keenan and she “stuck to her story.” When she returned and gave another statement, “inconsistencies were put to her” but she stuck to the same story.

The third time gardai spoke to her she again maintained the allegation.

The man she named did exist and when gardai interviewed him on a voluntary basis, he “had no knowledge of this taking place,” the sergeant said.

Keenan had no previous convictions.

Judge Smyth said the injured party would have to be asked if he wanted to make a victim impact statement.

“He is a victim,” the judge said, adding “obviously it’s a serious matter.”

The sergeant said he did not know if the victim was known to the accused. Judge Smyth said this could be clarified on the next date.

There were psychiatric issues involved and the accused’s lawyer sought to have a report prepared on Keenan. The judge remanded her on continuing bail to a date in January, when he will hear mitigation and finalise the case.