Anthony Smith to serve three years after sentence increased on appeal

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The Court of Appeal increased Anthony Smith’s sentence to five years’ imprisonment with two years suspended, leaving three years in custody. The court ruled on 11 October 2021.

Smith pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault under section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act and two counts of sexual exploitation under section 3 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act.

Judge Patrick Quinn had originally sentenced Smith at Trim Circuit Criminal Court on 9 March to five years’ imprisonment with three years suspended. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing that the sentence was unduly lenient.

Aoife Lynch, who had waived her right to anonymity during the proceedings, was 14 when Smith first targeted her. She said she was relieved the proceedings were over and hoped the appeal ruling would encourage other victims to come forward.