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Pensioner (77) who subjected daughter to 'vile' sex abuse is jailed

Summary

A 77-year-old man was sentenced to two and a half years in prison by Judge Sarah Berkeley at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for eight counts of indecent assault against his teenage daughter. The defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted by a jury following a trial in February. The offences occurred on unknown dates between 1985 and 1987 at a location in Leinster. The court heard that the victim, who made a statement to gardai in December 2020, disclosed that she was digitally penetrated and touched by her father while a teenager. The judge described the acts as "vile" and a heinous crime, noting the victim's ongoing suffering from panic attacks and depression. Although the defendant denied the allegations, claiming he never touched her, the jury found him guilty. In mitigation, defence counsel highlighted the defendant's lack of previous convictions, his lifelong work history, and his serious cardiac health issues, which require specific care and medication in prison. Judge Berkeley set a headline sentence of five years but reduced it to two and a half years, taking into account the defendant's poor health and the fact that he supported his family. The judge acknowledged the victim's closure and return to education, stating that while the defendant is now sentenced, his daughter will live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of her life.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pensioner (77) who subjected daughter to 'vile' sex abuse is jailed. Charges or matters: eight counts of indecent assault against a female on unknown dates between 1985 and 1987 at a location in Leinster. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

• December 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
• 1985 and 1987 Incident
• 2024-04-16 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report