2021-03-16
Seamus Woulfe delivers first judgement as appeal court judge
Stage: Appeal
Outcome: At the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe said that the sentence was "an error of principle" and noted that the judge had given a clear indication "that there would be a positive benefit to him if he continued to progress in the right direction and if some compensation were made available to the victim." Given the positive probation report and €1,000 compensation, Mr Justice Woulfe said the judge was "wrong in not affording a greater degree of leniency, when it appeared he had held out that prospect." Imposing a sentence of four years with the final two suspended, Mr Justice Woulfe said; The judge adjourned sentencing and indicated that it might be "helpful" if he received a positive probation report and if compensation was offered to the victim.