Courts / Donegal / Report
Man who raped his daughter appeals conviction
Summary
Michael Carter, a 56-year-old man from Buncrana, Co Donegal, has appealed his conviction for rape and sexual assault against his daughter, Karen Harkin. Carter was found guilty in June 2023 at the Central Criminal Court of one count of rape and 25 sample counts of sexual assault committed between 2010 and 2014, when the victim was aged nine to 12. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor sentenced him to ten and a half years in prison. At the Court of Appeal, defence counsel Michael Bowman SC argued that a statement by the victim's aunt should not have been admitted as evidence. He contended the disclosure was elicited by question and answer rather than being a voluntary complaint, specifically regarding the aunt asking if Carter was the perpetrator. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by James Dwyer SC, countered that the complaint emerged voluntarily from a distressed child and that Carter was the only logical candidate. The court heard that Carter had been found guilty of touching the victim inappropriately, including in the bath, and raping her on one occasion. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy reserved judgement on the appeal, meaning the matter was adjourned and not concluded.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who raped his daughter appeals conviction. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- June 2023 Incident
- June 2010 Incident
- June 2014 Incident
- 2010 and 2014 Incident
- 2025-05-08 Publication
Why: He said the aunt continued to probe because of her own suspicions. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Ms Justice Karen O'Connor sentenced Carter to ten and a half years in prison.
Places mentioned
Topics
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