Rape survivor Dominique Meehan is to meet with the Director of Public Prosecutions today (Monday) to discuss her attacker’s appeal.
The 26-year-old Letterkenny woman was sexually assaulted at a gaming convention in 2015.
Rapist Keith Hearne from Allenton Drive, Tallaght has appealed the severity of his jail term after he was sentenced to 12 years for rape and false imprisonment.
The case is due to come before the Court of Appeal this week.
Ms Meehan was initially ‘ecstatic’ over Hearne’s conviction, but she was later shocked to discover that he was appealing the length of the sentence.
The brave Donegal woman waived her anonymity after the conviction in order for Hearne, who she called a ‘monster’, to be publicly named. She also spoke out in a bid to help other assault victims come forward about their own cases.
Ms Meehan was attacked while volunteering at the Arcade-Con gaming convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown in 2015. She found herself alone in a room with Hearne, who locked the door and set upon her. He threatened to hurt her with a knife if she made any noise.
The court heard that Hearne was in possession of a bag described as a “rape kit” containing a knife, handcuffs, condoms, a mask and other items when he was arrested.
It was only when another worker at the gaming event entered the room that the attack stopped.
In the aftermath of the ordeal, Ms Meehan has spoken out about the lack of Sexual Assault Treatment Units in Ireland. She has revealed how she was forced to travel 80km for forensic tests on the night of the incident.
Ms Meehan has also highlighted the long-term effect of her attack and shared her deeply personal story as part of the Abortion Rights Campaign in 2017.
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