Courts / Kildare / Report
'Babysitter' who sexually abused cousin fails to reduce one-year jail term
Summary
A 41‑year‑old man who sexually abused his eight‑year‑old cousin while babysitting her in the summer of 1999 has not had his one‑year jail term reduced on appeal. He pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault at an address in Co Kildare. The court noted that at the time of the offence he was 15 and the victim was eight. Four incidents occurred in the family home where he was staying. The victim's impact statement said the abuse changed her life, leaving her with shame and guilt, and that she was celebrated by others who knew of the abuse. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to three years, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, affirming the sentence as proportionate and noting the aggravating factors of repeated offending, breach of trust, and the victim's secondary traumatisation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Babysitter' who sexually abused cousin fails to reduce one-year jail term. Charges or matters: one count of sexual assault at an address in Co Kildare during the summer of 1999. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- March 26, 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-07-15 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: one count of sexual assault at an address in Co Kildare during the summer of 1999 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan sentenced the man to three years with the final two years suspended on strict conditions at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on March 26, 2025. In dismissing the man's appeal at the Court of Appeal today (TUES), Mr Justice John Edwards said he was satisfied that the ultimate sentence imposed was proportionate, the sentencing judge "generously discounted" for the mitigating factors in the case and the appropriate sentencing principles were applied in the assessment of gravity.
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