Courts / Meath / Report

'You are nothing but a coward' - rape victim addresses 'monster' jailed for 20 years

Summary

Declan Daly, aged 54, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a series of sexual offences spanning three decades. He pleaded guilty before trial to 12 counts of sexual and indecent assault against three women between 1982 and 2002, and was convicted at trial of three rapes committed in 2022. The court heard that the later rapes occurred after a victim disclosed she had been abused by another man, whose case had already resulted in a 13‑year sentence. In his victim impact statements, the four women described lasting shame, low self‑worth, anger and the abuse's enduring effects. One victim called Daly a "monster" and a "coward," urging others to speak out. The judge, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, imposed a 22‑year sentence, suspended the final two years for five years, and noted the most serious offence warranted 15 years to life. The sentencing reflected the severity of the crimes and the victims' testimonies.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'You are nothing but a coward' - rape victim addresses 'monster' jailed for 20 years. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• 1982 and 2002 Incident
• 2025-10-31 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report