Case-subject index

Court reports mentioning Joe Dunne

This page indexes source-named court-report mentions. Legal stage and outcome are shown separately for each report.

2023-12-18

Ex-priest's fully suspended sentence for violent sexual assaults of vulnerable woman is overturned

Stage: Appeal

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Joe Dunne (82) was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, wholly suspended, by Mr Justice Paul McDermott after he pleaded guilty to five counts of indecently assaulting a young woman on dates between January and December 1989 when she was already "extremely vulnerable" and when he was a priest. At the Court of Appeal today, Mr Justice John Edwards said the trial judge exhibited "considerable mercy and compassion" towards Dunne and his sister, for whom he is the sole carer, who would be "unquestionably impacted" if Dunne was to be jailed.

2023-03-10

Priest who abused victim as he drove her to Rape Crisis Centre gets suspended sentence

Stage: Sentence

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Sentencing judge Mr Justice Paul McDermott said the court was faced with a "dilemma" and would take the "unusual and exceptional step" of suspending the entire four-year sentence because of the disproportionate effect it would have on the 94-year-old sister of Joe Dunne (81). Mr Justice McDermott suspended the entirety of the four-year sentence on strict conditions including that Dunne attend with the Probation Service and undertake offence focused work.