Courts / Waterford / Report

12 years in prison for father who abused daughter and made her watch porn

Summary

James O'Reilly, aged 63, was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of oral rape, five counts of sexual assault and three counts of sexual exploitation of his daughter Bridget, who was between six and ten years old when the abuse occurred. The offences took place at the family home in Waterford between 2010 and 2014. O'Reilly was found guilty on all nine charges in the fourth trial after earlier trials were aborted or inconclusive. He received a headline sentence of 13 years, with the final year suspended for 12 months on strict conditions, including probation supervision after release. The judge described the conduct as an egregious breach of trust, noting violence, threats and a lack of remorse. O'Reilly's son Thomas gave a character reference, and the daughter waived anonymity to name her father. No prior sexual convictions were recorded, though he had three unrelated convictions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 12 years in prison for father who abused daughter and made her watch porn. Charges or matters: all nine charges by the jury. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

• 2010 and 2014 Incident
• 2025-07-21 Publication

Why: She said he told her it was her fault because she made him do it. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report