Courts / Limerick / Report

Rapist father who encouraged family dog in abuse brings appeal

Date
2020-04-27

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

Patrick Byrnes, aged 80, was convicted in 2018 by a Central Criminal Court jury of 58 indecent assault charges and two rapes committed between 1975 and 1985. The abuse began when his daughters were about seven, the year of their First Communion, and continued for ten years, occurring mainly in the family home, a coal shed, and his car. Byrnes encouraged the family dog to participate in sexual acts with one daughter on three occasions. He was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment with two years suspended. Byrnes, a retired taxi driver, pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence. He has now lodged an appeal, arguing that the trial judge failed to properly address alleged fabrication and collusion by the complainants and that the jury was not given adequate directions on how to use their evidence. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rapist father who encouraged family dog in abuse brings appeal. Charges or matters: all of the charges and continues to deny them. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When: