Tyrone rapist Eamon Foley to stand trial accused of breaching offenders order

Following a committal Preliminary Enquiry at Dungannon Magistrates Court Foley (55), from the Dreenan Road in Castlederg, was also ordered to stand trial in relation to a charge of driving without insurance at the Ballygawley roundabout on 16 June last year.

The rapist’s lifelong SOPO was handed down in 2008 as Foley was released from a custodial sentence for the rape of his elderly victim in 1999.

The terms of the order state he is to reside only at an approved location and is not to have any avoidable contact nor seek to have any avoidable contact with any adult who by reason of age, mental, physical infirmity/disability, would be considered by any reasonable person to be of a vulnerable disposition.

He is also subject to the police sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

The judge imposed orders came about after Foley was convicted of raping 91-year-old Mary-Anne McLaughlin at her home in Castlederg in 1999. Tragically, the frail pensioner died several weeks after the horrific attack.

Foley was jailed for 16 years for the gruesome sex attack.

Following his arrest in June last year, Foley was initially refused bail but despite strong police and PPS objections, he successfully appealed this at High Court.

Lord Justice Gillan ordered the defendant to surrender his driving licence, abide by a curfew, wear an electronic tag and report three times weekly with police.

At court on Wednesday Foley confirmed he understood the charge and in response to an enquiry as to whether he wished to give evidence on his own behalf replied, “Not at this stage.”

A prosecution lawyer submitted there was a Prima Facie case against Foley and as there were no contrary submissions from his defence solicitor, District Judge Bernie Kelly returned the case to the Crown Court for trial and in releasing Foley on continuing bail, ordered him to appear for arraignment on 12 November.