Courts / Offaly / Report
Army sergeant gets seven years for rape and abuse of wife's niece
Summary
Anthony Canning, 74, of Fadden, Carrig, Birr, Co Offaly, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to two charges of indecent assault, three of sexual assault and one of oral rape of Celine Daly, who was between seven and 13 years old at the time of the offences, which occurred between December 1987 and December 1993 in his home. Canning, who was married to Ms Daly's aunt, was between 37 and 43 years old during the abuse. Ms Daly gave a victim impact statement in which she described the abuse as leaving emotional scars and said she had finally been heard after reporting to the Gardaí. Judge Tony Hunt set a headline sentence of 10 years, taking into account the age disparity and the fact that the abuse occurred in what was effectively an extension of her home, and imposed a seven‑year jail term for the offence of oral rape. The sentence was not suspended.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Army sergeant gets seven years for rape and abuse of wife's niece. Charges or matters: two charges of indecent assault, three charges of sexual assault and one charge of oral rape of Celine Daly on dates between December 21, 1987 and December 1993. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 21, 1987 Incident
- December 1993 Incident
- April 2021 Other
- 2024-06-10 Publication
Why: " "I may become emotional, but that is because I am finally being heard. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two charges of indecent assault, three charges of sexual assault and one charge of oral rape of Celine Daly on dates between December 21, 1987 and December 1993 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He set a headline sentence of 10 years, taking into account the age disparity between Canning and Ms Daly and the fact that the abuse occurred in what was "effectively an extension of her home", adding that a child should feel safe visiting the home of a relative.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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