Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for abuser who told victim that priest had said to 'practice sex on sister'

Date
2022-01-31

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Rathfarnham

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin case, Colm Doyle, aged 60, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for sexually abusing his younger adopted sister, Doreen Stamp, over a six‑year period from 1974 to 1979. Doyle began molesting the girl when she was about ten, claiming the abuse was justified because they were not biological siblings and that a priest had told him to practice sex on her. He pleaded guilty to 28 counts of indecent assault and rape, part of an indictment of 103 charges. At sentencing, the judge accepted the victim's impact statement, noting the prolonged nature of the abuse, the victim's young age, and Doyle's role as an older sibling. Doyle was given a 33% reduction for his youth at the time of the offences and a 40% reduction for pleading guilty, resulting in a six‑year custodial term. The court also acknowledged Doyle's remorse and low risk of reoffending.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for abuser who told victim that priest had said to 'practice sex on sister'. Charges or matters: around 28 counts of indecent assault and rape of the girl at two separate Rathfarnham addresses on dates between 1974 and 1979 inclusive. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

1974 and 1979 Incident
Christmas Incident
2022-01-31 Publication

Why: In an attempt to justify the abuse, Colm Doyle (60) told his sister that it was not wrong because they were not biological siblings. CNI source report

Case subjects

Colm Doyle

Defendant

Charges: around 28 counts of indecent assault and rape of the girl at two separate Rathfarnham addresses on dates between 1974 and 1979 inclusive (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice Hunt sentenced Doyle to six years imprisonment.