Courts / Cork / Report
'Big uncle' fails in appeal against conviction for abusing nephews
Summary
In February 2020, a man was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault against his girlfriend's nephews, aged four to nine, who were abused between 1985 and 1989 at their grandparents' home. The man, who was in his late teens when the abuse began, denied all charges. During the trial, the victims' father described the man as a "big uncle" who would play with the boys in their bedroom, often playing table football. A jury found him guilty and Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, with 18 months suspended. The man's lawyers appealed, arguing procedural errors and that the trial judge had erred by allowing alternative counts for the same alleged offence over three years. Judge Patrick McCarthy acknowledged procedural errors but found they did not undermine overall fairness.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Big uncle' fails in appeal against conviction for abusing nephews. Charges or matters: seven counts of indecent assault at Cork Circuit Criminal Court in February 2020 following a trial. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- February 2020 Incident
- 1985 and 1989 Incident
- 2022-01-13 Publication
Why: During the trial, the victims' father recalled in evidence how the man would regularly "go off playing with the lads because he was like, kind of a big uncle", during visits to the boys' grandparents' home. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: seven counts of indecent assault at Cork Circuit Criminal Court in February 2020 following a trial (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; A jury found him guilty and Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin sentenced him to three years' imprisonment with 18 months of the custodial term suspended.
Places mentioned
- Cork
- Cork Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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