Courts / Ireland / Report

Retired doctor withdraws appeal against abuse sentence

Date
2021-02-23
Stage
Appeal

Summary

In 2019, an 86‑year‑old retired doctor was convicted at the Circuit Criminal Court of 12 counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual assault, all committed during medical examinations from 1971 onward. He was sentenced to four years for one indecent assault count and 18 months for the remaining counts, with all sentences concurrent. The judge had originally suggested that the fact there were seven independent complainants was "compelling" evidence, a point the doctor's lawyers challenged in an appeal. The Court of Appeal rejected 17 grounds of appeal, including arguments that the trial judge should have ended the trial when evidence emerged that the doctor had been struck off the medical register, a civil action had been settled, and an earlier criminal trial had occurred. The court found no substance in these claims and upheld the conviction and sentence. The doctor's lawyers subsequently filed a notice of abandonment, withdrawing the appeal against the sentence. The unnamed 86-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Retired doctor withdraws appeal against abuse sentence. 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. Findings: Found guilty

When:

Why: They did not give a reason for the withdrawal. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 86-year-old

Appellant

Charges: 12 charges of indecent assault and one charge of sexual assault committed during medical examinations on dates beginning in 1971 (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; The doctor was jailed in 2019 following a trial at the Circuit Criminal Court. The doctor was found guilty on all counts and Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to four years on one count of indecent assault and 18 months on all other counts.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Court of Appeal
  • Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report

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