Courts / Cork / Report
Intellectually challenged man to be jailed for abusing niece
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, William O'Riordan, a 48‑year‑old farm labourer from Derry, Banteer, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual abuse of his niece between September 2001 and March 2006. The judge noted O'Riordan's reduced cognitive function but also that he understood his actions were wrong and showed no remorse. He was sentenced to a three‑year term, with the final two years suspended on conditions of good behaviour and peacekeeping for three years. The sentence will be deferred until early next year to allow his elderly mother, who has postponed surgery, to recover. O'Riordan was remanded on bail until February 7, when he must report to begin serving his sentence. The victim, who was nine to ten at the time, described the abuse as deeply traumatic and expressed fear for her children. The case was brought to court after a formal complaint in July 2018.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Intellectually challenged man to be jailed for abusing niece. Charges or matters: three counts of sexual abuse at a place in Co Cork on three occasions between September 2001 and March 2006. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2001 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2006 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 7 Adjournment
- July 2018 Incident
- 2022-12-13 Publication
Why: His mother is in her 80s and has postponed surgery a number of times because of the case. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of sexual abuse at a place in Co Cork on three occasions between September 2001 and March 2006 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice McDermott suspended the final two years of a three-year prison sentence on conditions including he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the three years. Mr Justice McDermott deferred sentence to early next year to accommodate O'Riordan's mother's surgery and convalescence.; The judge remanded O'Riordan on bail until February 7 and ordered that he present himself to the court on that date to begin serving his sentence.
Places mentioned
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