Courts / Ireland / Report

Pensioner who abused niece and later attacked her again when she was adult fails in appeal

Summary

The 71‑year‑old man, whose name is withheld, was convicted of raping his niece twice – once when she was a child and again when she was in her 20s – and of indecently assaulting her and three other children, two of whom were also his nieces. He had six prior convictions, including indecent exposure and larceny. He appealed, arguing that the trial judge erred by refusing to sever the indictment so each of the four complainants would have a separate trial. He also sought to add a new ground of appeal concerning the differing contexts of the two rape offences, which took place nine years apart. The court found no error: the complainants were members of the same extended family, their communications were largely supportive, and the judge had not been asked to consider severance. The appeal was dismissed. The unnamed 71-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pensioner who abused niece and later attacked her again when she was adult fails in appeal. Charges or matters: all of these offences. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• 2024-04-23 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

Read the original CNI report