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Priest who abused victim as he drove her to Rape Crisis Centre gets suspended sentence
Summary
Joe Dunne, a former priest from Ballycrystal, Geashill, pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault against a young woman in 1989. The victim, who had been abused and hospitalized, was driven by Dunne to the Rape Crisis Centre for counselling, during which he repeatedly assaulted her. She later wrote to her bishop, but little action was taken. In 2019, Gardaí discovered her letters and she disclosed the abuse. Dunne, who has no prior convictions and is the sole carer for his 94‑year‑old sister, was sentenced by Justice Paul McDermott to four years imprisonment. The judge suspended the entire sentence on strict conditions, citing the disproportionate impact on his sister and Dunne's health issues. The court noted the victim's 34‑year trauma and the breach of trust by Dunne. The sentence requires probation and offence‑focused work.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Priest who abused victim as he drove her to Rape Crisis Centre gets suspended sentence. Charges or matters: five counts of indecent assault of the woman in 1989. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 2023-03-10 Publication
Why: Photo: Collins) A former priest who sexually abused a young woman as he drove her to the Rape Crisis Centre for counselling has avoided a jail term because he is the sole carer for his elderly sister. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: five counts of indecent assault of the woman in 1989 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Sentencing judge Mr Justice Paul McDermott said the court was faced with a "dilemma" and would take the "unusual and exceptional step" of suspending the entire four-year sentence because of the disproportionate effect it would have on the 94-year-old sister of Joe Dunne (81). Mr Justice McDermott suspended the entirety of the four-year sentence on strict conditions including that Dunne attend with the Probation Service and undertake offence focused work.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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