Courts / Dublin / Report
Retired doctor appeals conviction for abusing patients
Summary
A retired doctor, aged 86, appealed his conviction for abusing seven boys over a 21‑year period up to 1992. He was jailed for four years in February 2023 after pleading not guilty to 12 charges of indecent assault and one charge of sexual assault during medical examinations beginning in 1971. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to four years for one count of indecent assault and 18 months for the remaining counts, with all sentences running concurrently. The judge described the offence as a "serious pattern of misbehaviour" and noted mitigating factors such as the doctor's age and health. The appeal, presented by barrister Hugh Hartnett SC, argues that the trial judge erred by telling the jury that multiple complainants constituted "compelling" evidence and by refusing to discharge the jury on several occasions. The Director of Public Prosecutions defended the trial's conduct, and the Court of Appeal reserved judgment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Retired doctor appeals conviction for abusing patients. Charges or matters: 12 charges of indecent assault and one charge of sexual assault committed during medical examinations on dates beginning in 1971. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- 2020-06-18 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: 12 charges of indecent assault and one charge of sexual assault committed during medical examinations on dates beginning in 1971 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: The 86-year-old man, who cannot be identified by order of the Court of Appeal, was jailed for four years in February of last year. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to four years in prison on one of the counts of indecent assault.; Justice John Edwards, presiding with Justice Isobel Kennedy and Justice Úna Ni Raifeartaigh, reserved judgment.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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