Courts / Wicklow / Report
Abuse of girl continued despite disclosure to parents, GP
Summary
The Central Criminal Court heard that a 43‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to indecent assault and multiple sexual assault charges against his sister, who was abused from age three to ten. The abuse began when she was three, continued after she reported it to her parents at four and to a GP in July 1991, and persisted for five more years. The court noted that the family had attended one counselling session before the father decided not to return. The judge highlighted the sister's forgiveness and lack of desire for imprisonment, her remorse, and her efforts to rebuild her life, including studying psychology. The man was sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. The hearing focused on the ongoing abuse, the sister's impact statement, and the man's admissions and cooperation with investigators.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Abuse of girl continued despite disclosure to parents, GP. Charges or matters: a charge of indecent assault on dates between November 3, 1989 and November 3, 1992 in their family home in a County Wicklow town; four counts of sexual assault and one charge of oral rape on dates between January 1991 and November 1996 when the victim was aged between four and ten years old and her brother was between 10 and 16 years old. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 1991 Other
- November 3, 1989 Incident
- November 3, 1992 Incident
- January 1991 Incident
- November 1996 Incident
- July 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-06-19 Publication
Why: The woman said she used to go asleep at night, praying not to wake up in the morning because she didn't want to wake. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: a charge of indecent assault on dates between November 3, 1989 and November 3, 1992 in their family home in a County Wicklow town; four counts of sexual assault and one charge of oral rape on dates between January 1991 and November 1996 when the victim was aged between four and ten years old and her brother was between 10 and 16 years old (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice McDermott sentenced the man to two and half years in prison and suspended the final 12 months on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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