Courts / Limerick / Report
Abuser fails in appeal against jail term for sex assaults on young cousin
Summary
A 33‑year‑old Limerick man who pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault on his 10‑year‑old cousin between 2010 and 2011 was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, with the final six months suspended, by Judge Catherine Staines in November 2022. He appealed, arguing that the headline sentence of six years was too severe and that mitigating factors had not been adequately considered. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe, dismissed the appeal, stating that the judge had correctly applied the sentencing range and had taken all mitigating factors into account. The court noted that the offences occurred in the family home while the victim's mothers were unaware, and that the man had entered a guilty plea and written an apology letter. The appeal was rejected, leaving the original sentence in place.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Abuser fails in appeal against jail term for sex assaults on young cousin. Charges or matters: four counts of sexual assault on dates unknown between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011 when he was aged between 19 and 21 and the male victim was aged between 10 and 11. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- January 1, 2010 Incident
- December 31, 2011 Incident
- November 2022 Incident
- 2024-06-25 Publication
Why: He said the plea of guilty was the most significant factor and said the judge was right to give a 25% discount in this case because a time period of approximately one year had elapsed before the guilty plea was entered. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: four counts of sexual assault on dates unknown between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011 when he was aged between 19 and 21 and the male victim was aged between 10 and 11 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to four and a half years with the final six months suspended in November 2022 by Judge Catherine Staines at Limerick Circuit Court on count number one, with the other three counts taken into consideration.
Places mentioned
Topics
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