Courts / Ireland / Report
Man who sexually assaulted daughter of family friend loses appeal
Summary
A 43‑year‑old man was convicted of four counts of sexual assault against a girl aged between ten and fourteen, committed between 2004 and 2007 while he was visiting her home. The assaults included touching her breasts and vaginal area, and in one instance inserting fingers into her vagina. The victim, who left home early and had to mature quickly, said the abuse forced her to excel in school as a way out. The appeal was partly based on the victim's recollection of abuse during a 2006 Brazil World Cup mid‑week game, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, noting that the man could have visited the victim's home during that period and that bank‑card records did not prove he was working. Mr Justice Paul Coffey sentenced the man to three‑and‑a‑half years in prison, with the final year suspended on the condition that he attend a sex‑offender treatment programme while incarcerated.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who sexually assaulted daughter of family friend loses appeal. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- 2004 and 2007 Incident
- 2005 and 2006 Incident
- 2018-05-10 Publication
Why: Lawyers for the defence criticised gardai for failing to corroborate the accused man's claim that he could not have abused her at that time because he would have been working during all of Brazil's midweek games at World Cup 2006. Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Mr Justice Paul Coffey sentenced him to three-and-a-half years in prison with the final year suspended on condition that the accused take part in a sex offender's treatment programme while in prison.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- The Central Criminal Court
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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