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'My family has abandoned me,' abuse survivor tells court
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 49‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment for sexually abusing his younger sister from 1984 to 1991. The abuse, which began when the sister was about seven or eight and continued until she was 14, included indecent assault, sexual assault, rape, oral rape and anal rape, often occurring in the family home when parents were absent. The victim, now 45, described her brother as a "monster" who threatened to destroy the family if she disclosed the abuse. She said the abuse caused profound loss of confidence, dignity and autonomy, and led to depression, anxiety and PTSD. The judge noted the offender's age at the time of the offences (13‑19) and imposed a nine‑year sentence without suspension, citing his lack of rehabilitation efforts. The victim's husband supported her throughout the proceedings. The offender had no prior convictions and was employed as a painter, decorator and bus driver. The unnamed 49-year-old pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'My family has abandoned me,' abuse survivor tells court. Charges or matters: 24 sample counts of sexually abusing his sister on dates between 1984 and 1991. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 1984 and 1991 Incident
- 2022-01-14 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 24 sample counts of sexually abusing his sister on dates between 1984 and 1991 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A "monster" who "preyed" on his little sister, sexually abusing and raping her up to six times per week when they were young, has been jailed for nine years. If the man had been an adult at the time of the offending, the judge said he would have imposed a sentence of between 15 years and life imprisonment.
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
Topics
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