Courts / Dublin / Report

Court upholds conviction of retired guesthouse owner who molested niece

Date
2016-11-24

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

John Prior, 68, a retired guesthouse owner from Ballsbridge, had his conviction for molesting his niece in 1985 upheld by the Court of Appeal. The niece, aged 10 at the time, was visiting from America and stayed with Prior in a B&B in Dublin 4. In the original trial, a jury found him guilty on two of five counts of indecent assault; the remaining three counts were not agreed upon. He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. Prior appealed on grounds including delay and the absence of a corroboration warning to the jury. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, dismissed all appeal grounds, affirmed the conviction, and noted that the trial judge's discretion in not issuing a corroboration warning was lawful. Prior is scheduled to appeal his sentence the following day. John Prior pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Court upholds conviction of retired guesthouse owner who molested niece. Charges or matters: five counts of indecently assaulting the victim at Hartley House, Merrion Road on dates between July 1 and August 1 1985 when she was aged 10. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

July 1 Hearing Or Sentence
August 1 1985 Hearing Or Sentence
July 27 Hearing Or Sentence
2016-11-24 Publication

Case subjects

John Prior

Appellant

Charges: five counts of indecently assaulting the victim at Hartley House, Merrion Road on dates between July 1 and August 1 1985 when she was aged 10 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan on July 27 last. Prior is due to appeal his sentence tomorrow.