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10-year sentence upheld in case of man who abused step daughter for years
Summary
A 73‑year‑old man, who could not be named to protect the victim's identity, was convicted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of 72 counts of indecent assault on his step‑daughter between 1973 and 1979. The abuse began when the child was six and continued until she was about thirteen, with the first incident occurring before her First Holy Communion. The man, who was 25 at the time, was in a long‑term relationship with the victim's mother but never married her. He had earlier convictions for drink driving. In May 2019 Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a 10‑year sentence, using consecutive two‑year terms for seven counts and 14 years on other counts, citing the severity of the abuse and its lasting impact on the victim. The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence, rejecting the appellant's appeal and confirming the judge's decision to impose consecutive terms.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 10-year sentence upheld in case of man who abused step daughter for years. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- October 31, 1973 Incident
- August 24, 1979 Incident
- May 2019 Incident
- 2021-10-19 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Today, the Court of Appeal rejected submissions from counsel that the trial judge erred when she imposed consecutive sentences of two years for seven counts on the indictment. Having noted mitigation of a good work history and a good family life in recent years, Judge Sheahan imposed consecutive sentences of 14 years on a number of counts.
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