Given what is going on with the reporting on the reports of the sexual assault case in Listowel,
I have found myself having to explain to people again and again the difference between rape and sexual assault. Which just hammers home how little irish people in general seem to know about
rape, sexual assault and consent.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1990/en/act/pub/0032/sec0002.html#zza32y1990s2

Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990

Sexual assault.

2.—(1) The offence of indecent assault upon any male person and the offence of indecent assault upon any female person shall be known as sexual assault.
[GA]

(2) A person guilty of sexual assault shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years.
[GA]

(3) Sexual assault shall be a felony.

Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990

Rape under section 4.

4.—(1) In this Act “rape under section 4” means a sexual assault that includes—
[GA]

( a ) penetration (however slight) of the anus or mouth by the penis, or
[GA]

( b ) penetration (however slight) of the vagina by any object held or manipulated by another person.
[GA]

(2) A person guilty of rape under section 4 shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life.
[GA]

(3) Rape under section 4 shall be a felony.