Courts / Dublin / Report
Society living in time of "great vindication" for sex crime victims, barrister tells appeal court
Summary
An unnamed 46-year-old man has appealed his conviction at the Central Criminal Court, where the matter was adjourned with the court reserving its judgement. The appellant was found guilty by a jury of eight counts of indecent assault, one count of anal rape, and one count of sexual assault, allegedly committed between 1988 and 1991 against his eight-year-old nephew. At sentencing, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy imposed a ten-year prison term, citing the "appalling regularity" of the abuse and the victim's age. The appellant's barrister, Mary Rose Gearty SC, argued that society is in a time of "great vindication" for victims, but contended that the investigation failed to engage with specific allegations and that the complainant changed his account regarding the most serious charges. She submitted that the trial judge should have intervened to protect the accused's rights. Conversely, DPP counsel Orla Crowe SC noted that 26 of 36 allegations were withdrawn by the trial judge and maintained that the complainant's account remained consistent. The appeal was heard by a bench including Mr Justice Alan Mahon, who stated the court would reserve its judgement.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Society living in time of "great vindication" for sex crime victims, barrister tells appeal court. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- 1988 and 1991 Incident
- 2018-01-18 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Sentencing him to ten years imprisonment, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said it was a case of great seriousness due to the "appalling regularity" of the abuse and the age of the child at the time.
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
Topics
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