Courts / Dublin / Report
Uncle repeatedly raped two young nephews
Summary
James Maher, aged 64, was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to six counts of sexually abusing his two nephews between 1980 and 1984. The victims, aged eight and six at the time of the first abuse, were abused at various locations in Dublin. Maher admitted to indecent assault and other sexual offences, describing the abuse as "pain and violence" and "like an animal." The court heard the brothers turned to drugs and suffered depression as a result of the abuse. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced Maher to nine years, suspending the final year due to his age, health issues, guilty plea and lack of prior convictions. The victims waived anonymity and testified that the abuse had robbed them of their youth and spirit. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Uncle repeatedly raped two young nephews. Charges or matters: six counts of sexually abusing two nephews at various locations in Dublin between January 1980 and March 1984; one count of indecent assault, two counts of indecent assault by placing his penis in each boy's mouth, two counts of indecent assault by placing his penis in each boy's anus and one count of indecently assaulting one of the boys by placing his penis in his mouth and urinating. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 1980 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 1984 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-10-02 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: six counts of sexually abusing two nephews at various locations in Dublin between January 1980 and March 1984; one count of indecent assault, two counts of indecent assault by placing his penis in each boy's mouth, two counts of indecent assault by placing his penis in each boy's anus and one count of indecently assaulting one of the boys by placing his penis in his mouth and urinating (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Patricia Ryan jailed him for nine years but suspended the final year, taking into account his age, health issues, guilty plea and lack of previous convictions.
Places mentioned
Topics
Animal Related Drugs Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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