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Father appeals conviction for sexual assault on daughter (9)
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a father was found guilty of sexually assaulting his nine‑year‑old daughter between January and April 2017, and was sentenced to three years and four months' imprisonment. He has not accepted the verdict and has appealed, arguing that the prosecution's evidence indicated he was asleep when the alleged conduct occurred and that a conversation with his daughter took place the following morning. His lawyers claim that Judge Elma Sheahan failed to direct the jury to consider this evidence, which would have led to a not‑guilty verdict. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment. The victim, now 13, testified that her father should have protected her and that the assault took away part of her childhood. Judge Sheahan noted the father's regret but said he would not accept a suspended sentence unless he enrolled in a rehabilitation programme, which he declined to do. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Father appeals conviction for sexual assault on daughter (9). Charges or matters: sexually assaulting the girl on an occasion between January 1, 2017, and 30 April, 2017 at their home in Dublin. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- January 1, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 30 April Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-01-13 Publication
Why: Mr Ó Lidheadha said his client was not in a position to accept the offer because the man maintained his innocence, while the programme required "full acceptance" for prisoners to enrol. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: sexually assaulting the girl on an occasion between January 1, 2017, and 30 April, 2017 at their home in Dublin (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; The jury, however, found him guilty following a trial last May at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and he was sentenced to three years and four months' imprisonment.
Places mentioned
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