Courts / Wicklow / Report
'Predatory' pensioner has sentence doubled for abuse of granddaughter
Summary
In a Wicklow case, a 77‑year‑old pensioner was sentenced to nine years in prison after the State successfully challenged the original four‑year term for repeated sexual assault of his granddaughter. The judge described the offences as grave and close to attempted rape, noting the victim was aged eight to nine at the time of the most serious incidents. The defendant had pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual assault between 2007 and 2014, when the girl was six to thirteen. A jury had convicted him and the trial judge had imposed a five‑year sentence with the final year suspended. The Director of Public Prosecution applied for a review, arguing the sentence was too lenient. The appellate judge agreed, citing the severity of the abuse and the lack of remorse, and set a headline sentence of eleven years, reduced by two years for mitigating factors such as the defendant's age and medical issues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Predatory' pensioner has sentence doubled for abuse of granddaughter. Charges or matters: five counts of sexual assault in various locations on dates between October 2007 and November 2014, when the girl was aged between six and 13. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 2007 Incident
- November 2014 Incident
- June 17, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-05-02 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: five counts of sexual assault in various locations on dates between October 2007 and November 2014, when the girl was aged between six and 13 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Delivering judgement at the three-judge court today, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath jailed the defendant for nine years, saying the offending was "grave" and was "as close as might be" to attempted rape. A jury at Wicklow Circuit Court sitting in Bray convicted him and Judge James McCourt sentenced him to five years in prison with the final 12 months suspended on June 17, 2024.
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