Courts / Limerick / Report
'I may never be able to be normal' - girl was just six when her godfather sexually abused her
Summary
A 42‑year‑old man was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison, with the final six months suspended for one year on strict conditions, after being convicted of two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault against his goddaughter, who was aged six to nine when the offences occurred between 2009 and 2012 in County Clare. The man, who was in his late twenties at the time, was also married to the victim's aunt and had acted as her godfather. He maintains his innocence. The victim, whose identity is protected, gave a victim impact statement describing the abuse as having stolen her childhood, left her with fear, pain, depression and anxiety, and said she may "never be able to be normal." The judge noted the seriousness of the offences, the victim's age and the multiple incidents, and reduced a headline sentence of 13 years to 11½ years after considering mitigating factors and testimonials about the.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'I may never be able to be normal' - girl was just six when her godfather sexually abused her. Charges or matters: two counts of rape and three of sexual assault following a trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick earlier this year. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- 2009 and 2012 Incident
- 2025-07-10 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: two counts of rape and three of sexual assault following a trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick earlier this year (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; By Eimear Dodd A man who raped and sexually assaulted his goddaughter when she was six years old, leaving her feeling like she may "never be able to be normal" has been jailed for 11 years. Today, he was handed a sentence of 11 years and six months, with the final six months suspended for one year on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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