Courts / Galway / Report
'Animal' subjected daughter to degrading rape and abuse in 'grotesque betrayal'
Summary
Michael O'Donoghue, aged 43, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, for raping and sexually abusing his 19‑year‑old daughter, Aimee Foley, over a six‑year period. The Central Criminal Court heard that O'Donoghue supplied Foley with alcohol and drugs, including cannabis and cocaine, before sexually assaulting her during access visits to his home. He pleaded guilty to 31 counts of sexual assault, one count of rape and one count of producing child pornography. Foley, who was aged between 12 and 17 at the time of the abuse, gave a victim impact statement in which she described the emotional and physical abuse she endured. The judge noted mitigating factors such as O'Donoghue's early admission to Gardaí and his current low risk of re‑offending. The sentence was back‑dated to his arrest in April 2019.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Animal' subjected daughter to degrading rape and abuse in 'grotesque betrayal'. Charges or matters: 31 counts of sexually assaulting Ms Foley, one count of raping her and one count of producing child pornography in various locations in Galway between April 2012 and April 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2019 Other
- December 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2021-12-13 Publication
Why: When interviewed by gardaí, O'Donghue said he abused his daughter because he was a "pervert". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: 31 counts of sexually assaulting Ms Foley, one count of raping her and one count of producing child pornography in various locations in Galway between April 2012 and April 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Aimee Foley (19) as "a monster, a paedophile, an animal" was sentenced to seven years in jail with the final two years suspended today. Ms Foley broke down in tears when the sentence was handed down and had to be supported outside by her family and friends.
Convicted Person
Charges: 31 counts of sexually assaulting Ms Foley, one count of raping her and one count of producing child pornography in various locations in Galway between April 2012 and April 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Michael O'Donoghue (43) who was described in court by his daughter Aimee Foley (19) as "a monster, a paedophile, an animal" was sentenced to seven years in jail with the final two years suspended today. He suspended the last two years of that sentence on a number of conditions, including that O'Donoghue have no contact with children under the age of 18 without getting permission from the Probation Service.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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