Courts / Galway / Report
Trusted family friend jailed for 14 years for continued abuse of sisters
Summary
A man who became a trusted family friend has been jailed for 14 years for the sexual abuse of two young daughters in Galway. Benedick Joel (46) was convicted of 24 counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted anal rape on dates in 2017 and 2018. The court heard that Joel, referred to as 'Uncle Ben' by the children, was a family friend who initially engaged in 'body checks' on the girls and later sexually abused them. Both victims, now in their 20s, reported the abuse in 2022. Joel denied the allegations and has no previous convictions. The victims described the long-term emotional and psychological impact of the abuse, including depression, anxiety, and self-harm. The judge emphasized the breach of trust and the serious degradation of the offences, imposing a global sentence of 15 and a half years, with the final 18 months suspended to encourage rehabilitation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Trusted family friend jailed for 14 years for continued abuse of sisters. Charges or matters: the offences and does not accept the verdicts of the jury. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- January 2022 Incident
- 2017 and 2018 Incident
- 2026-04-27 Publication
Why: " Mr Lynam said in another incident with the younger sister, he assisted her in taking a shower, because she had broken her leg and sexually abused her while she was getting washed. CNI source report
Case subjects
Background Person
Charges: the offences and does not accept the verdicts of the jury (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Sentencing Joel today, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo said that it was apparent during the trial and the sentence hearing that both women were "exceedingly bright and articulate" and their lives had been "blighted" by the actions of Joel. Mr Justice Naidoo then reduced the sentences further before he imposed a global sentence of 15 and a half years.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Shop Street
Topics
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