Courts / Donegal / Report
Donegal jury "pressured" into returning verdict during "atrocious" weather, court told
Summary
A man convicted of indecently assaulting a fourteen-year-old babysitter in Ballyshannon in 1980 has appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeal, claiming the jury was pressurised into returning a guilty verdict. Patrick Patton, aged 65, of Cashelard, Ballyshannon, pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent assault. A jury at Donegal Circuit Criminal Court unanimously acquitted him on two counts but returned a ten-two majority guilty verdict on the first count following a four-day trial. He was sentenced to fourteen months imprisonment in April 2019. His barrister argued the jury was pressurised to continue deliberating on a Friday evening when severe weather warnings were in place and despite jurors appearing ready to leave. The trial judge had instructed them to persevere on the disputed count after they had already acquitted on the other charges. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel contended the jury had not expressed concern and the weather argument remained speculative. Judgement has been reserved.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Donegal jury "pressured" into returning verdict during "atrocious" weather, court told. Charges or matters: two counts of indecently assaulting the then 14-year-old babysitter in his home in July 1980; a third count of indecently assaulting another young female between June 1981 and August 1982. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 1980 Other
- June 1981 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 1982 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 4, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-06-05 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: two counts of indecently assaulting the then 14-year-old babysitter in his home in July 1980; a third count of indecently assaulting another young female between June 1981 and August 1982 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: He was accordingly sentenced to 14 months imprisonment by Jugde John Aylmer on April 4, 2019.
Places mentioned
Topics
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