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'Not our little secret anymore': 'Monster' jailed for repeated rape of cousin (8)
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 38‑year‑old man was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to four counts of rape against his 8‑year‑old cousin between 2002 and 2003. The victim, now 29, described the abuse as repeated anal, oral and vaginal rape while he was babysitting in her Dublin home. The judge noted the defendant's teenage status and the grooming element, reducing a potential headline sentence of 13 years to nine, then to seven years and six months with 18 months suspended. Conditions include probation supervision and no unsupervised contact with children. The victim's impact statement detailed the lasting trauma, loss of innocence and subsequent substance abuse, concluding that the abuse was no longer a secret. The defendant's prior drug conviction was mentioned, and the sentence was back‑dated to his custody entry.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Not our little secret anymore': 'Monster' jailed for repeated rape of cousin (8). Charges or matters: four counts including anal rape, oral rape and vaginal rape on dates between 2002 and 2003 in the child's Dublin home. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 2020 Incident
- June 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 17 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2002 and 2003 Incident
- 2024-01-11 Publication
Why: The victim said on another occasion, she was sleeping beside her brother because she said she "would be safe there," but her cousin lifted her out of her bed. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: four counts including anal rape, oral rape and vaginal rape on dates between 2002 and 2003 in the child's Dublin home (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Sonya McLean and Eimear Dodd A woman who was repeatedly raped by her cousin when she was eight years old today addressed her abuser in court before he was jailed, telling him: "This is not our little secret anymore". Mr Justice McDermott imposed a sentence of seven years and six months, with the final 18 months suspended under strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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