2018-07-26
10-year sentence for man who abused grandnieces is upheld
Stage: Appeal
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; Handing down concurrent sentences totalling 10 years imprisonment, Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan noted a report from the Probation Service which stated that Rafferty had no understanding of the hurt, trauma or long term effect of his actions on his victims. Mr Justice Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice John Hedigan, said the effective sentence of 10 years did not fall outside the range available to the Circuit Court judge having regard to the gravity of the offending.