By Sonya McLean

A man residing in Ballinasloe has been jailed for nine years after he walked in on a woman while she was in the bathroom and pushed her into the bathtub where he raped her.

Darius Langas (37) of Main Street, Ballinasloe, was convicted following a week-long trial at the Central Criminal Court last week, having denied one charge of rape of the woman on August 13, 2022.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt handed Langas a ten-year sentence with the final twelve months suspended on strict conditions for five years.

An investigating garda told Lorcan Staines SC, prosecuting, that the victim presented at the garda station in the immediate aftermath of the rape.

She said she had been drinking earlier in a local park with two men, including Langas, and voluntarily went back to an apartment with them where they continued to drink alcohol and take cocaine.

The woman later told Gardaí that both men asked for sex, and she said no to both to them.

But Langas followed her into the bathroom, where he pulled at her clothes, unbuttoned his trousers and tried to force her to perform oral sex on him.

She said no and told Langas she was on her period. But he pushed her into the bathtub before raping her from behind. She was shouting and screaming at him attempting to fight him off.

The woman was able to point out the apartment she had been taken back to by Gardaí and Langas was arrested.

He initially denied that he had sex with the woman and described her as ‘crazy’. He was re-arrested after semen taken from the woman’s examination at the sexual assault treatment unit (SATU) matched his DNA.

Langas admitted having sex with the woman at this point but claimed it had been consensual.

Mr Staines said the report from the SATU outlined that the woman had extensive injuries which were consistent with her account of struggling with the accused and being struck by him.

Mr Staines said the woman, who was not in court, had prepared a victim impact statement, which he read into the record.

She said she had anxiety, depression, nightmares and panic attacks and she fears every man and “fears what they are going to do to me”. She said it feels like “he is still part of me”…“like he broke something inside of me”.

She acknowledged that she had issues with alcohol and drugs before the rape but said her addictions have gotten worse. “He brought me to such a darker place. I wished it never happened,” she continued.

She said she lost her children who are now in care. “I wanted to get better for my kids but he broke me,” she said.

The woman said she would like an apology but doesn’t want to look at Langas’s face. “I just couldn’t cope. I got so much more used to the dark hole,” the woman said.

Bernard Madden SC, defending, said his client does not accept the verdict of the jury.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt said this was a serious offence which had had serious consequences for the woman. Referring to her victim impact statement, the judge said she was “frank and candid” about her problems, which existed before this incident.

He said the court was satisfied that Langas made the woman’s problems “much worse”, adding that the court was “delighted” to hear the woman says she is improving.

The judge set a headline sentence of ten years. Mr Justice Hunt said there “really isn’t” any mitigation noting that Langas does not accept the jury’s verdict.

The judge noted the probation report states Langas “continues to deprecate” the woman’s difficulties and “proposes to deceive” others in his life about why he is in prison, which the judge said is “of concern”.

Mr Justice Hunt said there was “nothing good to be said” out of the probation report, but that the court had to “allow there might be a chance of the penny dropping in time.”

The judge also placed Langas under the supervision of The Probation Service for three years post-release and backdated the sentence to when he went into custody.

Mr Justice Hunt expressed the court’s hope that the woman’s dog would give her pleasure and comfort. He asked gardai to extend the court’s best wishes to the woman and hope that she would “have success in addressing her demons and find some peace”.

The sun shone gently on a lovely Sunday evening for the Annual Concelebrated Mass of St Feichin in Lackan Cemetery in Abbey parish – setting the mood surrounding the celebration of the birth of St Feichin all of 1445 years ago.

St Feichin is the Patron Saint of Abbey parish and Abbey National School – and the faith of those present was very evident at this special community spiritual event.

Bishop Charles Hammawa, Bishop of Jalingo Diocese in Nigeria, came again this year to Lackan for the Mass – as were all his priests from Jalingo Diocese who have ministered and are currently ministering in Clonfert Diocese.

Bishop Charles, as chief celebrant, was joined by Bishop Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe and nine concelebrating priests.

These included Fr Brendan Kelly, Abbey/Duniry; Fr Tony Nzinang, CC, Loughrea; Fr John Naughton, Portumna; Fr Michael Ifiora, CC, Loughrea; Fr. Gregory Shinvo, CC, Ballinasloe; Fr. Brendan Lawless, PP, Kilconieran/Clostoken; Fr. Augustine Chifu, Jalingo Diocese; Fr Peter Hassan, Rector St. Augustine’s Seminary, Jos, Nigeria. and Fr. Kieran Danfulani. CC. Magheracloone, Co. Monaghan.

Saint Feichin was born 1445 years ago in Ballysodare, Co Sligo. He had associations with many parts of Galway including High Island and Omey Island in Connemara; Kilbeacanty near Gort and Lackan in Abbey parish.

He was in Lackan in the year 620 as a young priest and was responsible for establishing the Hoy Well, with its cure for sight problems. The Holy Well is a place of pilgrimage to this day with many people coming here throughout the year.

When Mass was over people prayed at the Holy Well and venerated the Stations of the Cross which are located there.

Earlier, Fr Peter Hassan delivered a powerful and inspiring homily for the occasion.

“As we gather in this sacred famine cemetery on the feast of St. Feichin, to remember those who suffered and died here, let us draw strength from the Word of God,” he told the congregation.

“Jesus challenges us in the Gospel to not only hear His word but to build our lives upon it. In today’s world that means living with integrity, compassion and faith in the face of a culture that often pulls us towards the temporary and the shallow. Like St. Feichin we are called to be builders of faith, of community and of justice.

“As we honour the past let us also look forward with hope, determined to live lives rooted in God’s love and grounded in His Living Word,” he added.

Fourteen hymns were sung throughout the Mass by the St. Feichin’s Choir with Carmel O’Halloran and Florence Lyons and Musical Director Mary Lyons.

The solo singing of “There is a Place” by Florence and “The Deer’s Cry” by Carmel were both beautiful and moving.

The final hymn sung at the Mass was “Faith of our Fathers”. The words of the hymn captured the strong Faith evident and practiced by the congregation at the Mass.

The Offertory Instrumental, “Ag Chriost an Siol” was played by Bernadette Connors on the accordion. The Mass Servers were Tadhg McGreal and William Donohue.

The John Paul 11 Awards students, Eimear Fahy, Thomas Gorman and Eanna Tyrrell from Mercy College, Woodford, composed and prayed their own Prayers of the Faithful especially for the Mass. They were joined in praying the Prayers of the Faithful by Sarah Craughwell and Kaitlin Craughwell.

After the Mass, community spirit and generosity were to the fore as refreshments were provided for all the congregation and for the bishops and priests by the hardworking people doing the catering.

In preparation for the Mass great work was carried out by GRD under the stewardship of Sean Larkin and his team of workers.

The organisers thanked Liam Fallon for his work in maintaining the Cemetery environs throughout the year. The Fallon family were thanked by the organisers for the use of their field for the car park.

Pictured: Concelebrants of the Mass in Lackan (from left) Fr Peter Hassan, Fr Tony Nzinang, Fr Gregory Shinvo, Fr Kieran Danfulani, Fr Michael Ifora, Bishop Charles Hammawa, Bishop Fintan Monahan, Fr Augustine Chifu, Fr John Naughton and Fr Brendan Lawless. Missing from photo is Fr Brendan Kelly.

There was one final – and welcome – call of duty for the outgoing Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway on her final day in office.

Because Cllr. Martina Kinane proudly presented almost €20,000 in proceeds from the 2025 Cathaoirleach’s Ball to her two chosen charities – the Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit and Hand in Hand – Children’s Cancer Charity.

At the presentation of the proceeds, Cllr. Kinane said, “It is my great honour to present cheques to two outstanding charities in the amount of €19,775, raised through my recent Cathaoirleach’s Charity Ball.

“It was a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we come together in generosity and goodwill,” she said at the presentation of cheques.

Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit, which was established in 2016, is a 100% voluntary organisation.

They play a vital role in search, rescue, and recovery operations across both land and water, offering critical leadership and coordination in collaboration with statutory and voluntary agencies.

In addition to operational support, the organization provides compassionate pastoral care to the families and friends of casualties, ensuring emotional support during times of crisis.

A dedicated base of operations allows for efficient coordination of search efforts and offers refreshments and rest for search teams.

And the Loughrea-based Hand in Hand – Children’s Charity provides vital, free-of-charge support services to families affected by childhood cancer.

With a mission rooted in compassion and care, the organization delivers both practical and emotional assistance to help families navigate an incredibly challenging time.

Practical support includes household cleaning, laundry services, and nutritious family meals— easing daily burdens so families can focus on what matters most.

And emotional support is offered through professional counselling and play therapy, helping children and their loved ones process their experiences in a safe, supportive environment.

Cllr Kinnane praised the generosity of everyone who attended the Cathaoirleach’s Charity Ball, and to all who donated cash, raffle prizes and auction items.

“I also want to thank those who couldn’t attend on the night but still gave generous cash donations,” she added.

Pictured at the presentation of the proceeds of this year’s Cathaoirleach’s Charity Ball were (from left) Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Ollie Turner; Caroline O’Connor, Hand in Hand Children’s Cancer Charity; Caroline O’Reilly, Cathaoirleach Ball Committee; Cathaoirleach Cllr. Martina Kinane, Lester McNamara, Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry; Eileen Ruane, Director of Services Galway County Council; Jackie Joyce, Cathaoirleach Ball Committee; Joan Dempsey, Oranmore Maree Costal Search Unit and George Curley, Oranmore Maree Costal Search Unit.

Driving test wait times have been cut nearly in half since April, with applicants now waiting 14 weeks to sit the practical exam.

Sean Canney, Junior Minister for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails and Ports, said the Road Safety Authority was on track to meeting its ten-week target by September.

In order to do this, his department has given the go-ahead for the appointment of 30 new testers in July with 200 to be working by next month.

“This increased testing capacity should lead to further improvements over the summer months. I understand how frustrating long delays can be for those waiting to sit their test, and I’m determined to continue driving this progress forward.”

When the RSA meets the ten-week goal, he will implement a ban on learner drivers applying for multiple permits but not sitting the actual test.

He has been getting an update every fortnight from the Road Safety Authority on improvements to the waiting lists since April when the waiting times were 27 weeks.

There are around 8,000 no-shows currently for tests which is adding to the waiting lists. People on driving permits had to show they had an appointment for a test to get their permit reviewed but that loophole is about to be closed as there were learner drivers on the road who had secured 14 learner permits without taking a test, he has told the Connacht Tribune.

“I want to bring in a ‘three strikes and you’re off the road’. I met with a road safety advocacy group last week and I’ve assured them we have the regulation ready and in place but we weren’t ready to introduce it until the waiting time was down to ten weeks because we’d peak again,” said the Minister.

“Once we meet that, the regulation will come in – maybe as early as September 1,” he added.

Tuam has the shortest waiting times, with the next available tests on September 22. Drivers who want to sit the test in Galway’s Clybaun Hotel must wait until November 24, while in Carnmore are drivers forced to wait until December 8. Clifden now has the longest delays with no tests available until December 29.

The RSA has accelerated the training of new testers through the use of additional training facilities and a revised approach to training, enabling early deployment of new testers to centres.

There have also been expanded testing hours, including overtime on weekday evenings, Saturdays and bank holidays, with tests running from 7.25am to 7pm.

The RSA has also implemented targeted manual intervention in the booking system to ensure invitations are issued to areas of greatest demand to ensure more efficient slot allocation.

Pictured: Driving tests…waiting lists slashed since April.