Courts / Dublin / Report

Boy began rape and abuse of sister when aged 13

Date
2021-11-29

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 60‑year‑old man was 13 when he began a six‑year period of raping and sexually abusing his younger adopted sister, a court heard. He justified the abuse by telling her they were not biological siblings and that a Catholic priest had told him to practice sex on her. The abuse began when she was about ten or younger in their Dublin family home. He pleaded guilty to 28 counts of indecent assault and rape between 1974 and 1979, from an indictment of 103 charges. The court heard that both siblings suffered extreme violence from their adopted mother, who had bipolar syndrome and was unmedicated. The woman's victim impact statement described the abuse as an "unspeakable hell" and said the damage will never end until she dies. The man expressed deep regret and remorse, stating he will live with that guilt for the rest of his life.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Boy began rape and abuse of sister when aged 13. Charges or matters: around 28 counts of indecent assault and rape of the woman on dates between 1974 and 1979 inclusive. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

January 31 Adjournment
1974 and 1979 Incident
Christmas Incident
2021-11-29 Publication

Why: In an attempt to justify the abuse, the Dublin man told his sister that it wasn't wrong because they weren't biological siblings. CNI source report