Courts / Dublin / Report

Woman describes years of sexual abuse by brother

Date
2021-09-27
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a woman recounted years of sexual, physical and emotional abuse by her older brother, now 56, who was convicted of 11 rapes committed between 1979 and 1982. She said the abuse began when she was nine and her brother fourteen, escalating from touching to rape, with violence such as hitting and breaking fingers. The victim had reported the abuse to Gardaí in 2015, leading to the brother's arrest that year; he denied the allegations. The court heard the abuse occurred at their Dublin family home, starting at the time of her first communion. The woman described enduring fear, manipulation and a sense of isolation, and expressed that she could now confront the memories she had kept hidden. She thanked her husband, supporters, victim‑support services, the prosecution and Gardaí, and stated she would no longer be harmed by her brother.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman describes years of sexual abuse by brother. Charges or matters: 11 counts of raping her at their family home in Dublin on dates between 1979 and 1982 following a five day trial last July which was held at Croke Park to allow for social distancing measures. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed 56-year-old

Convicted Person

Charges: 11 counts of raping her at their family home in Dublin on dates between 1979 and 1982 following a five day trial last July which was held at Croke Park to allow for social distancing measures (Proven)

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; The investigating officer told Maddie Grant BL, prosecuting, at today's sentence hearing that the accused man was four years older than his sister, the victim.; Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy adjourned sentencing until Friday to allow her read the materials handed into court and consider case law.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Secondary Mention
Address Area
  • Croke Park

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

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