Courts / Dublin / Report

Woman was sexually abused by teenage cousin

Date
2018-04-16

Stage
Finding

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a victim impact statement before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, a 28‑year‑old woman who was sexually abused by her teenage cousin 15 years earlier told the court that the burden of the abuse was now the man's responsibility. She recalled that the 30‑year‑old accused, who was convicted earlier this year of two counts of sexual assault when she was 13 and he was 15, had denied the allegations and claimed she was "prone to invention". The accused had later admitted to fondling her breasts and performing oral sex, asserting that the relationship had developed during her visit to Ireland and that she had been the "forward person". The court noted that the accused had not pleaded guilty, which had reduced mitigation. The woman described the lasting impact of the abuse, her treatment for PTSD and depression, and her fear of not being believed by her family. The unnamed 28-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman was sexually abused by teenage cousin. Charges or matters: five charges of sexual assault and one charge of attempted rape at a house in Dublin on a date in June or July of 2003. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Convicted

When:

Monday April 30 Adjournment
2018-04-16 Publication

Why: "I cannot jump to a conclusion," Mr Justice Hunt said before he added that the accused had lost significant mitigation because he had not pleaded guilty. CNI source report