Courts / Cork / Report
'Voracious sexual predator' who masqueraded as 'kindly uncle' may not survive 18-year sentence
Summary
A 72‑year‑old man was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment for raping and sexually abusing three of his nieces over a decade. He pleaded guilty to 16 counts of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and indecent assault committed between 1985 and 1995 at various locations in Cork and Kerry. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, described the offender as a "voracious sexual predator" who masqueraded as a kindly uncle. He set a headline sentence of 25 years, reduced to 20 years because of the defendant's age, and suspended a further two years permanently. The sentence includes two years of post‑release supervision if released. The court heard victim impact statements describing the abuse as repeated, prolonged, humiliating and degrading, and noted the defendant's advanced age may affect his survival of the sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Voracious sexual predator' who masqueraded as 'kindly uncle' may not survive 18-year sentence. Charges or matters: 16 sample counts of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and indecent assault between 1985 and 1995. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 2021 Incident
- December 2021 Incident
- 1985 and 1995 Incident
- 2013 and 2017 Other
- 2023-10-02 Publication
Why: "I lived and suffered deeply and silently because of what that man did to me," she told the court. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: 16 sample counts of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and indecent assault between 1985 and 1995 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Eimear Dodd and Isabel Hayes A 72-year-old "voracious sexual predator" who masqueraded as a "kindly uncle" while raping and sexually abusing three of his nieces for a decade has been jailed for 18 years. "That little girl still matters, help me to mind and protect her and make that man accountable for what he had did to me, that little child," one of his victims had told the Central Criminal Court. He suspended a further two years of this sentence "perpetually". "The period of his wrongdoing and the harm it caused calls for a serious sentence, which he may or may not survive," Mr Justice Hunt said.
Places mentioned
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