Courts / Donegal / Report
Man who abused sisters in 1970s gets anonymity over 'culpable delay' in prosecution
Summary
A 68-year-old man from Donegal, who was convicted of raping and abusing his sisters in the 1970s, was granted anonymity by the court due to a 'culpable delay' in the prosecution. The victims had waived their anonymity, but the court ruled that the defendant could not be named. The man was convicted of multiple counts of rape and indecent assault. His lawyers argued that the delay in prosecution had created a situation where the defendant would face serious public odium. The judge noted the victims' bravery and the long-term trauma they endured. She imposed a seven-year sentence for the rape offences and a two-year concurrent term for the sexual assault charges. The final year of the seven-year term was suspended on strict conditions. The unnamed 68-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who abused sisters in 1970s gets anonymity over 'culpable delay' in prosecution. Charges or matters: all the charges, does not accept the jury verdicts. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- May 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2026-07-06 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: all the charges, does not accept the jury verdicts (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; In 2004, the same defendant was jailed after pleading guilty to knowingly producing child pornography relating to the covert and sexualised filming of a child. Ms Justice Creedon imposed a sentence of seven years for the rape offences and attempted rape.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Central Criminal Court
- Supreme Court
- Doe. The Supreme Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Court upholds former Defence Force member's conviction for raping fellow soldier
- Lawyers 'concerned' over wait for evidence 20 years on from Denis Donaldson murder
- Ex-garda seeks allowance for services to Irish-language communities
- Sliabh Liag murderers appeal convictions
- Six years for Algerian national who carried out 'violent predatory' sex attack
- 'Shame on you' - rapist refuses to accept jury verdict
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request