Women falsely cried 'rape' as they attacked and robbed innocent man in Waterford
The victim was taking photographs of the fountain in People's Park.
Two women attacked and robbed an innocent man in the People’s Park and screamed ‘rape’ as he tried to defend himself.
Alison O’Neill (30), 106 Allison Lawn, Waterford received a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence for robbery, at Waterford Circuit Court.
O’Neill acted alongside Alice O’Neill, who was sentenced at an earlier date.
On the night of July 23, 2025, a man was taking a late night stroll in the People’s Park.
He was carrying a high-quality camera valued at €1,800 to take pictures of the fountain lit up at night.
He was struggling with his mental health at the time and took up photography as a therapeutic tool.
As he took photos, the two women approached him and demanded money.
As he tried to get away, the women began attacking him, throwing punches and grabbing at his pockets before taking his wallet.
As the victim tried to defend himself and push them away, the women started screaming: “Help he’s trying to rape us!”
The man was terrified that a passer-by would see the commotion and assume he was the aggressor.
He ran out of the park and called his brother for help, who quickly alerted Gardaí.
He suffered an injury to his hand that left him unable to take up a new job.
His wallet was stolen by the women, who went on to make a series of purchases with his Revolut card.
When Gardaí tracked down Alison O’Neill she vehemently denied any involvement in the crime, saying: “I didn't rob him, I didn’t rob no one.”
O’Neill has 23 previous convictions, including charges for assault, theft and burglary.
Judge Eugene O'Kelly commented that the women had done a disservice to victims of sexual assault.
He said: "They literally cried 'rape' when they were the violent offenders towards a very vulnerable man."
At her sentencing hearing, she presented a letter of apology to the victim.
The final 20 months of the sentence were suspended.
