Abuse survivor Sophia Murphy speaks of relief after father's 18-year sentence is upheld

A man formerly of Foxford, County Mayo, has had his 18-year prison sentence upheld by the Court of Appeal following his conviction for the sexual abuse of his daughter over a 13-year period. The offender, who was aged between 31 and 44 during the abuse, pleaded guilty in June 2018 to multiple counts of rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault occurring between 1988 and 2001, when his daughter was between three and 15 years old. He also admitted to a further sexual assault in 2010. The Central Criminal Court imposed consecutive sentences totalling 18 years in July 2018. The man subsequently appealed, arguing the sentence was excessive and disproportionate. In a judgment delivered by Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly, sitting with two colleagues, the Court of Appeal found no error in principle and rejected the appeal. The victim, who waived anonymity, attended the hearing and later expressed relief at the decision, hoping it would encourage other survivors to come forward and have their accounts believed.