JOHN HAW, HOSTEL MANAGER IN ENNIS, JAILED FOR RAPE OF FRENCH TOURIST

In January 1997, a hostel manager named John Haw was sentenced to eight years in prison for the serious sexual assault of a French tourist. The incident occurred after the 21-year-old woman, visiting from Paris, stayed overnight at the Abbey Tourist Hostel in Ennis, County Clare, in April. The court heard that she had befriended Haw during her brief stay and left the hostel for Cork and Dublin with other guests. Upon her return, Haw, who had previously served 18 months of a six-year sentence for indecent assault, was waiting to meet her off the bus. He then arranged a separate room for her away from other guests.

Later that evening, Haw, who was intoxicated, entered her room uninvited. He groped her, prompting her to kick him in the face. Haw responded by throwing her onto the ground, ripping her clothes off, and forcing her to perform a sex act for two hours. The woman subsequently checked into a hostel in Cork, where the manager alerted police. Haw, aged 42, claimed that the woman had given consent to the encounter. He later admitted to the offence in court.

It was also revealed that in 1993, Haw, originally from Castlewellan, County Down, had received a six-year sentence at Craigavon Crown Court for indecent assault against a girl and common assault against a child. This sentence was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Criminal Appeal in Northern Ireland a year later.

Addressing the court, Mr. Justice Frederick Morris emphasized the importance of protecting all citizens, including visitors to Ireland, noting that "the courts had to protect all citizens, including visitors to Ireland."