Courts / Limerick / Report
Paedophile pensioner bids to overturn conviction for abusing granddaughters
Summary
Patrick Shanahan, 76, a pensioner from Cooga, Doon, Co Limerick, was convicted in 2022 by a unanimous jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on 14 counts of sexually assaulting his granddaughters Daria and Tara Tobin between 2010 and 2014. The abuse involved rubbing the girls' vaginas and later vaginal penetration by finger and tongue when they were aged 10 to 14. The assaults occurred in Shanahan's home, on nearby land and in his van. Shanahan appealed today on the Court of Appeal, arguing that the delay between the offences and the girls' complaints, inconsistencies in one complaint, and the admissibility of the aunt's evidence should have been challenged. He contended that the aunt's questioning was leading and that the complaint was not made at the first reasonable opportunity. The court has reserved judgment on the appeal. Patrick Shanahan pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Paedophile pensioner bids to overturn conviction for abusing granddaughters. Charges or matters: all counts. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- 2010 and 2014 Incident
- 2023-10-17 Publication
Why: " Mr Justice Birmingham that his reading of the case was that "one complainant directs [the aunt] to go to the other complainant because they are now ready to speak". CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: all counts (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted
Places mentioned
Topics
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