Courts / Dublin / Report
Abuser (79) who told daughter they had 'special love' is jailed for seven years
Summary
A 79-year-old man who sexually abused his daughter during her childhood, telling her they had a 'special love' her mother would be jealous of, has been jailed for seven years. Gordon McKenna pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting his daughter at various locations, including the family home in Tallaght, Dublin, on mountain biking trips and at the cinema, between 1977 and 1983. Ms Justice Melanie Greally acknowledged the unquantifiable harm caused to the victim by her father and noted the extreme abuse of trust by a parent who was also her primary carer. She imposed concurrent sentences of 16 months for the earlier offences and a consecutive term of five years and eight months for the later offences. The victim, who waived her right to anonymity, described the abuse as having a profound impact on her sense of self and her ability to form relationships. The judge took into account McKenna's guilty plea, his advanced age, and his medical conditions, but noted the severity of the abuse and its long-term psychological effects on the victim.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Abuser (79) who told daughter they had 'special love' is jailed for seven years. Charges or matters: indecently assaulting his daughter at various locations including the family home in Tallaght, Dublin, on mountain biking trips and at the cinema, on dates between 1977 and 1983. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 1977 and 1983 Other
- 2026-01-20 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: indecently assaulting his daughter at various locations including the family home in Tallaght, Dublin, on mountain biking trips and at the cinema, on dates between 1977 and 1983 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Greally imposed concurrent sentences of 16 months for the earlier offences and a consecutive term of five years and eight months for the later offences.
Places mentioned
- Old Moore Street
- Mountmellick
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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