The Daily Star Ireland
A Garda officer who was found guilty of sexually assaulting and falsely imprisoning a woman at a station in Co Wicklow has been sentenced to six years in prison.
William Ryan, 41, was convicted last year on three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment at Aughrim Garda Station in September 2020. Despite initially denying all charges, he was found guilty by a jury trial. During sentencing, his barrister stated that Ryan now fully accepts his guilt on all counts.
Ryan had been a Garda for 19 years but resigned from the force in September after his conviction.
Incident and Conviction
The woman had visited the station seeking advice from Ryan on how to retrieve her car, which had been seized while her son was driving it. After assisting her with the process, Ryan locked the station door, blocked her from leaving, and sexually assaulted her multiple times. He suggested that she would have to “repay the favor” in return for his help.
During the trial, the woman gave harrowing testimony, describing her shock, fear, and horror throughout the ordeal. She recounted how Ryan had commented on her body and grabbed her as she stood to leave. Feeling trapped and powerless, she attempted to defuse the situation by showing him a photograph of herself in a bikini, hoping it would allow her to leave. Instead, she was assaulted again when Ryan led her upstairs to the station’s bathroom.
Later that night, she confided in her husband, telling him that Ryan was a Garda and that “they can basically do what they want.”
During his own testimony, Ryan attempted to deny the allegations, claiming that the woman had initiated a sexually charged encounter and shown him “raunchy” photos. He insisted that their encounter was consensual. However, the jury rejected his defense and found him guilty.
Victim Impact Statement
In a powerful victim impact statement, the woman expressed how the assault and subsequent trial had left her “degraded and broken.” She said that Ryan had violated her twice—first through the sexual assault and again by forcing her to relive the trauma during the legal proceedings.
She revealed how private photos of her were displayed in court, making her feel exposed and vulnerable. Despite undergoing counseling after the attack, she said the trial process undid any progress she had made.
The incident had a severe emotional toll, leaving her feeling anxious, powerless, and emotionally drained. She struggled to maintain a brave face for her family and friends while internally falling apart.
The woman described her disbelief that such an event could happen in her small village and that it involved someone she knew and trusted. She admitted to questioning herself over why she had not fought back but acknowledged that she froze in fear.
She also detailed the impact on her daily life, stating that she no longer felt safe dropping her children to school or socializing within the community. She described how Ryan had occupied her thoughts for the past four years and declared that, by reading her statement in court, she was “giving him his eviction notice.”
Despite the trauma, she praised the kindness and professionalism of the Gardaí who handled her case, emphasizing that their support and belief in her gave her the strength to pursue justice.
Sentencing and Legal Considerations
Judge Elma Sheahan emphasized that Ryan had abused his position of trust, violating the very community he was sworn to serve. She noted that this case fell within the higher end of the scale of severity and highlighted the importance of deterring similar breaches of public trust.
During the sentencing hearing, defense counsel Breffni Gordon argued that Ryan had led an exemplary life prior to his conviction. He submitted 35 references in support of Ryan’s character, including one from Superintendent Paul Hogan, who had worked in the same district.
Ryan’s wife, Anna, took the stand, acknowledging the pain the victim had endured and expressing empathy for her. However, she also described her husband as a kind, calm, and selfless man who had always been a devoted family figure.
Judge Sheahan interrupted the reading of Anna Ryan’s statement, stating that such a practice was unusual and instead instructed her to answer questions from the defense counsel. She went on to confirm that Ryan’s absence from home since his remand in custody had been emotionally and financially challenging for their four children, and that she would continue to support him.
Defense counsel requested that the judge consider suspending part of the sentence, allowing Ryan the chance to rebuild his life. However, the court determined that a six-year prison term was appropriate, given the serious nature of the crime.
