Courts / Dublin / Report

Victim tells court that abuser used status to "silence and belittle" him during trial

Date
2017-02-27

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 71‑year‑old Dublin man, whose name is withheld for legal reasons, was found guilty by a jury of five counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual assault against his nephew, aged 15 to 17, between 1989 and 1991. The nephew, now 42 and a father of two, testified that the uncle used his high family status and education to "silence and belittle" him during the trial, claiming the allegations were fabricated. The uncle had previously been convicted of 42 offences, including rape and indecent assault, and was serving a 10‑year sentence for similar crimes. The nephew described the abuse as traumatic, noting that the uncle's respected position in the family prevented him from speaking out for years. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court, with sentencing scheduled for March 6 by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy. The unnamed 71-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Victim tells court that abuser used status to "silence and belittle" him during trial. Charges or matters: six counts of indecently assault and one count of sexually assaulting his nephew between 1989 and 1991, when the boy was aged between 15 and 17 years old. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

March 6 Hearing Or Sentence
1989 and 1991 Incident
2017-02-27 Publication

Case subjects

Unnamed 71-year-old

Convicted Person

Charges: six counts of indecently assault and one count of sexually assaulting his nephew between 1989 and 1991, when the boy was aged between 15 and 17 years old (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; The man is currently serving a 10-year sentence for similar offences.