Courts / Ireland / Report
Pensioner jailed for rape and 'appalling' abuse of sisters over 50 years ago
2024-01-11
Sentence
Summary
A 70‑year‑old man was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for raping and repeatedly sexually abusing his two younger sisters in Leinster between 1966 and 1974. He pleaded guilty to one count of rape and 14 counts of indecent assault. The first sister was aged five to nine when first abused, with the abuse pausing during his boarding‑school year and resuming in 1971–72 when she was ten to twelve. The second sister was eight to ten during indecent assault and was raped when aged eleven to thirteen. Victims described lasting fear, depression and anxiety, and the court noted the abuse had profoundly distorted their lives. The judge imposed a headline sentence of 13 years for the rape and 18 months for each indecent assault, but ultimately gave a global nine‑year term with the final 12 months suspended, directing the defendant to have no contact with the sisters.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Pensioner jailed for rape and 'appalling' abuse of sisters over 50 years ago. Charges or matters: one count of rape on a date between 1972 and 1974 and a further 14 counts of indecent assault between 1966 and 1974 at a location in Leinster. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 1972 and 1974 Incident
- 1966 and 1974 Incident
- 1966 and 1969 Incident
- 1971 and 1972 Incident
- 1969 and 1971 Incident
- 2024-01-11 Publication
Why: The court heard that the sisters subsequently because aware at a later stage that they had been individually abused by their brother and were shocked by this discovery. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: one count of rape on a date between 1972 and 1974 and a further 14 counts of indecent assault between 1966 and 1974 at a location in Leinster (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Eimear Dodd A 70-year-old man has been jailed for eight years for rape and the "appalling" and repeated sexual abuse of his two sisters over 50 years ago. Mr Justice McDermott imposed a global nine-year sentence on the man and suspended the final 12 months to encourage his rehabilitation and engagement with relevant services.
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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