Courts / Dublin / Report
Suspended sentence for man who sexually assaulted niece when he was teen
Summary
In 2017, a 41‑year‑old Dublin man received a suspended sentence of two years and three months for sexually assaulting his six‑year‑old niece while babysitting her between February and September 1992. He pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault. The court noted that the victim's family had not filed a formal complaint with the Gardaí, instead seeking sex‑offender treatment for the man when he was 16 and counselling for the victim. The niece, who delayed reporting until after her grandmother's death, gave a victim impact statement describing long‑term emotional damage, self‑esteem issues, anorexia and self‑harm. Judge Karen O'Connor commended the niece for coming forward, acknowledged the man's remorse and treatment, and deemed a non‑custodial sentence appropriate given his age at the time of the offence. The case was prosecuted by Garrett McCormack BL, with defence counsel Gerard Charlton BL arguing the offence stemmed from curiosity and the defendant's immaturity.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for man who sexually assaulted niece when he was teen. Charges or matters: one count of sexually assaulting the girl while he was babysitting her at her home between February 1, 1992 and September 30, 1992. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 1, 1992 Incident
- September 30, 1992 Incident
- 2017-05-08 Publication
Why: In a victim impact statement read out in court, his niece said she delayed coming forward to gardaí until after her grandmother – the man's mother – died, because she "didn't stop loving her and I didn't want to kill her". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of sexually assaulting the girl while he was babysitting her at her home between February 1, 1992 and September 30, 1992 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Isabel Hayes A man who sexually assaulted his six-year-old niece when he was a teenager has been given a suspended sentence. He was previously given a suspended sentence for another sexual assault around the same time.
Places mentioned
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.