Egyptian national Ibrahim Ahmed Gharib, 48, was found guilty at the Central Criminal Court of raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Dublin city centre in February 2025. Court proceedings heard that Gharib had previously received a 10-year prison sentence in 2018 for the rape of a student in Carlow after following her from a bus. He was released from prison in January 2024.
The latest case involved a woman who had met Gharib in Dublin city centre before the pair later went to a builders' cabin on Poolbeg Street. The prosecution alleged that after consuming drugs, the victim made it clear she did not consent to any sexual activity and later fell asleep. She told the court she awoke to discover she had been raped.
Following the incident, the woman attended Pearse Street Garda Station in an attempt to report what had happened. During the hearing, it emerged that she was arrested after becoming distressed at the public counter, with criminal damage allegations against her later withdrawn. She subsequently underwent a forensic examination at the Rotunda Hospital's Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU), where DNA evidence linked Gharib to the assault.
The victim waived her right to anonymity and delivered a victim impact statement to the court. She described the emotional trauma she has endured since the attack and criticised the treatment she initially received while trying to report the alleged offence. She also thanked the investigating Gardaí and legal team for their support throughout the case.
Gharib denied the allegations throughout the trial, but a jury found him guilty. He is expected to be sentenced later this month by Mr Justice Seán Gillane.
The case has renewed debate around the monitoring and management of serious violent offenders following their release from prison, particularly where individuals have previous convictions for similar offences.
Anyone affected by sexual violence can seek confidential support through specialist organisations and the Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs), which provide medical care, forensic examinations and referrals to counselling services.