Courts / Dublin / Report

'I don't like this and it has to stop': niece confronted abuser uncle

Date
2020-07-21

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 17‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting his six‑year‑old niece for two years while babysitting her. The abuse ceased when the girl, then nine, told him, "I don't like this and it has to stop." The victim, now 12, described feeling blamed and used, and expressed lasting discomfort around men, including family members. She said the uncle's actions left her feeling unsafe and that she hides her body with clothing. The court heard that the man's own grandfather had touched him, a fact he admitted to Gardaí in May 2018 after the victim disclosed the abuse to her parents. The defendant expressed remorse, noting he would take it all back if possible. Judge Pauline Codd adjourned sentencing to 20 October and ordered a Probation Service report.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'I don't like this and it has to stop': niece confronted abuser uncle. Charges or matters: sexual assault of a child at a place in Dublin on dates between January 2012 and September 2014. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

January 2012 Incident
September 2014 Incident
May 2018 Incident
October 20 Adjournment
2020-07-21 Publication

Why: She said she thought that uncle may have abused her because "he didn't know what having a girlfriend was like or how to pleasure a girl". CNI source report