Courts / Galway / Report
13.5 years for man who raped and abused two younger sisters
Summary
A 52-year-old man from Galway was sentenced to 13 and a half years in prison for raping and sexually abusing his two younger sisters over a period spanning several decades. The man had denied the charges but was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury. He was convicted on multiple counts of rape, indecent assault, and sexual abuse against both sisters, with the abuse beginning when the older sister was as young as 11 and the younger sister as young as eight. The older sister delivered a victim impact statement, detailing the profound and lasting effects of the abuse on her life, including struggles with alcohol, mental health, and her relationship with her children. She credited the Irish justice system for allowing her to speak out and begin the healing process. The younger sister also shared her experience of living with shame, guilt, and mental health issues, expressing relief at finally being able to move forward.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 13.5 years for man who raped and abused two younger sisters. Charges or matters: five counts of rape of the older sister on dates between January 1988 and December 1992, when she was aged between 11 and 16 and he was aged between 14 and 18 years old; four charges of sexual assault of his younger sister on dates between January 1991 and December 1994 while she was aged between eight and 12 and he was aged between 16 and 20 years old; oral rape of the same sister on dates between May 1992 and May 1994 when she was aged between 10 and 11 and he was aged between 18 and 20 years old. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- January 1988 Incident
- December 1992 Incident
- January 1991 Incident
- December 1993 Incident
- December 1994 Incident
- May 1992 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 1994 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2026-05-18 Publication
Why: The woman said she left home when she was 18 years old and although she was really lonely, it was "the lesser of two evils because I felt safe away from him". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: five counts of rape of the older sister on dates between January 1988 and December 1992, when she was aged between 11 and 16 and he was aged between 14 and 18 years old; four charges of sexual assault of his younger sister on dates between January 1991 and December 1994 while she was aged between eight and 12 and he was aged between 16 and 20 years old; oral rape of the same sister on dates between May 1992 and May 1994 when she was aged between 10 and 11 and he was aged between 18 and 20 years old (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; He imposed a global sentence of 11 years in relation to the first complainant and eight and half years in relation to the second sister. He imposed a global sentence of nine and half years for the offences in relation to the first sister and a global sentence of seven years and three months in relation to the second sister.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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