"Monster" who sexually abused daughters described as "kind and compassionate" in references handed to court

A man from County Mayo has been sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his conviction on eight counts of indecent and sexual assault against his four young daughters. Bernard Cunningham, aged 66, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict in April 2016 of offences committed between 1978 and 1992. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges. Judge Patrick McCartan stated that Cunningham had demonstrated an absolute absence of remorse and noted the victims endured what was described as a "horror of a home" involving sustained physical, mental and sexual abuse. The judge observed that character references describing Cunningham as kind and compassionate could not be reconciled with the evidence of his cruelty. During sentencing, the court acknowledged the victims' bravery in testifying, with one reporting lasting trauma including mental health difficulties. Cunningham's legal team highlighted recent health challenges but the judge emphasised the absence of any apology or acknowledgement of wrongdoing.