Courts / Wicklow / Report

'Paedophile rapist' may be using 'delaying tactic' to avoid being named

Date
2020-10-05

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Wicklow

County
Wicklow

Summary

In 2015, a 56‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to 165 counts of rape and sexual assault of his wife's two sons, aged under ten, over a decade. Mr Justice Tony Hunt sentenced him to 21 years' imprisonment, suspending the final five years. The victims, who had waived statutory anonymity in 2015, sought to have the man named publicly, but the judge stayed the waiver because related Wicklow Circuit trials involving the same victims and other defendants were pending. The judge assured that anonymity would be lifted after those trials. In July, the DPP applied to lift the order; the man had dismissed his former counsel and was seeking new representation, claiming the delay was a tactic to avoid disclosure. Mr Justice Hunt warned that if the man resisted, the court could grant the prosecution's request on the next hearing, set for 20 October.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Paedophile rapist' may be using 'delaying tactic' to avoid being named. Procedural stage: trial

When:

March 2016 Incident
October 20 Adjournment
2020-10-05 Publication

Why: However, Mr Justice Hunt placed a stay on the waiving of the anonymity because there were related cases to be prosecuted at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court. CNI source report