Courts / Limerick / Report

Appeal court refuses to hear case of man who abused daughters

Summary

The Court of Appeal has refused an application to extend time for an appeal against the sentence of a 53-year-old man convicted of sexual exploitation, sexual assault, and child cruelty. The appellant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the injured parties, was found guilty by a jury in the north west on May 19, 2022. He was subsequently sentenced by Judge John Aylmer on November 2, 2022, to nine years and six months in prison, with the final 12 months suspended. The offences, which occurred between June 2011 and September 2015, involved the appellant's daughters, who were in their early to mid-teens at the time. Defence counsel Dara Foynes SC submitted an enlargement of time application, arguing the appellant believed his notice of appeal was on record, though his solicitor stated it was never received. Mr Justice John Edwards noted the appellant had made no engagement with the sentencing judge's remarks and raised no error of principle. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, delivering the ruling for the three-judge court, stated that victims have a legitimate expectation of closure and that courts must not permit cases to be elongated. He emphasized that reopening the case would cause revictimization to the injured parties. The court found no basis to justify ventilating the case afresh and refused the application to extend time, denying the defence an adjournment to file further affidavits.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Appeal court refuses to hear case of man who abused daughters. Charges or matters: sexual exploitation, sexual assault, and child cruelty, and sentenced to nine years and six months in prison, with the final 12 months suspended. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• May 19, 2022 Incident
• November 2, 2022 Incident
• June 2011 Incident
• September 2015 Incident
• November 2022 Other
• 2025-06-26 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report