Courts / Dublin / Report
Abuse victim told repeat offender was 'just experimenting'
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Peter Doyle, aged 68, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for indecent assault and rape of two girls aged six to nine between 1977 and 1991. The victims, who wish to remain anonymous, recounted how they were ignored when they tried to alert adults, with one told the abuser was "just experimenting." Doyle pleaded guilty to all charges. The judge, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, set a headline sentence of 15 years but, citing mitigating factors such as Doyle's guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, good work history and remorse, imposed consecutive sentences totalling eight years. The court noted the deep and lasting harm suffered by the victims and the breach of trust involved. The case was classified as "more serious" by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Abuse victim told repeat offender was 'just experimenting'. Charges or matters: indecent assault of the first girl on dates between 1988 and 1991; four counts of indecent assault and one count of rape of the second child on dates between 1977 and 1980. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 1988 and 1991 Incident
- 1977 and 1980 Incident
- 2025-03-03 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: indecent assault of the first girl on dates between 1988 and 1991; four counts of indecent assault and one count of rape of the second child on dates between 1977 and 1980 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Peter Doyle (68), who abused the girls when they were aged between six and nine years old, was today jailed for eight years. Mr Justice Naidoo imposed consecutive sentences totalling eight years' imprisonment.
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
Topics
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