Courts / Ireland / Report
Father tried to intimidate child into dropping sexual assault complaint
Summary
The Central Criminal Court sentenced three adults for offences against a 13-year-old girl during court-ordered access visits. A 34-year-old man, the aunt's partner, pleaded guilty to oral rape and sexual assault between July and September 2023. Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring sentenced him to ten years for oral rape and three years for sexual assault, to run concurrently. She suspended the final 12 months and placed him under probation supervision for 12 months. The girl's father, aged 41, pleaded guilty to child neglect (September 2022–September 2023) and intimidation of a witness. He was sentenced to six years for intimidation and four years for neglect, to run concurrently. The final 12 months were suspended, with 12 months of probation supervision. The girl's aunt, aged 40, pleaded guilty to child neglect. She received a three-year sentence, with the final two years suspended for 12 months, and was placed under probation supervision for 12 months. The court noted the defendants exposed the child to alcohol and drugs. The father allegedly intimidated the child into dropping her complaint. All sentences were pronounced at the sentencing stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Father tried to intimidate child into dropping sexual assault complaint. Charges or matters: oral rape and sexual assault of the child on dates between July and September 2023; child neglect on dates between September 2022 and September 2023; intimidation of a witness. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2023 Incident
- September 2022 Incident
- 2025-12-18 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: oral rape and sexual assault of the child on dates between July and September 2023; child neglect on dates between September 2022 and September 2023; intimidation of a witness (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She sentenced him to ten years in prison on the counts of oral rape and three years in prison for sexual assault, both of which are to run concurrently. Ms Justice Ring sentenced the woman to three years in prison for child neglect and suspended the final two years for 12 months.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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