Courts / Roscommon / Report
Father in Roscommon abuse case has suspended portion of his sentence doubled on appeal
Summary
A man from County Roscommon has had the suspended portion of his 14-year prison sentence doubled on appeal. The 57-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was convicted in 2010 of 47 counts of rape and sexual assault against his son between 2001 and 2004. The Central Criminal Court imposed a sentence of 14 years with the final 18 months suspended. The Court of Appeal dismissed his conviction appeal but found, when comparing sentences in cases of similar gravity, that a greater proportion should have been suspended. The three-judge court increased the suspended period from 18 months to three years, resulting in a net custodial term of 11 years. Mr Justice Alan Mahon, delivering the judgment, noted that comparable cases attracted net sentences of between 10 and 11 years. The court found the appellant's conviction sound despite challenges to witness immunity granted to his wife and son during trial proceedings. The unnamed 57-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Father in Roscommon abuse case has suspended portion of his sentence doubled on appeal. Charges or matters: 47 counts of rape and sexual assault committed against his son when the boy was aged between 12 and 15 years old at their home in Co Roscommon over a three year period to 2004. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- March 5 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-07-16 Publication
Why: Mr Justice Mahon said neither were given immunity as an inducement to cooperate because they had already given statements which supported the prosecution. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: 47 counts of rape and sexual assault committed against his son when the boy was aged between 12 and 15 years old at their home in Co Roscommon over a three year period to 2004 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: The father from the Roscommon 'house of horrors' case ought to have had a greater proportion of his 14-year prison sentence suspended, the Court of Appeal has found, in reference to cases of broadly similar seriousness. Having been found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court, he was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended by Mr Justice Barry White on March 5 2010.
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