Courts / Dublin / Report

"Enormous and gross breach of trust": jail for man who raped grand-niece

Summary

A 66-year-old man from Donegal has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court following his conviction for sexual offences against his grand-niece committed between 1992 and 1994. The man was found guilty after jury trial of three counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape that occurred at locations in Donegal and Dublin when the victim was a child. Justice Margaret Heneghan described the offences as an "enormous and gross breach of trust", noting the defendant had exerted significant control over a young, vulnerable victim. The judge observed he had demonstrated no remorse. The woman's victim impact statement detailed lasting psychological harm including panic attacks, anxiety and depression, with effects extending to her family relationships and ability to work. The defence had submitted testimonials regarding the defendant's previously unblemished character and referenced his wife's health difficulties and dependence upon him. The unnamed 66-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Enormous and gross breach of trust": jail for man who raped grand-niece. Charges or matters: five offences after a jury trial at the Central Criminal Court last April; three counts of sexual assault between November 1992 and December 1994 and two counts of rape between June and September 1994 at locations in counties Donegal and Dublin. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

• November 1992 Incident
• December 1994 Incident
• September 1994 Incident
• 2017-05-19 Publication

Why: "All my life I have felt that I was living in a prison," she said, adding that she no longer feels a prisoner of her past because she has come forward about the abuse. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report