Courts / Ireland / Report
'I would feel safe with a new family,' familial abuse victim relieved following guilty verdicts
Summary
A profoundly deaf woman who was sexually abused by several male relatives over an 11-year period has expressed relief after four of her family members were convicted of 13 counts of abuse. The trial, which lasted 131 days, was the longest in the country's history. The woman, who suffered from severe language deprivation and lived in a dysfunctional family, described feeling trapped and controlled by her relatives. She said she only felt safe in her grandfather's company and at school. In her victim impact statement, she expressed a desire to be taken away by Tusla and given a new family. She credited her partner for making her feel safe and helping her escape the trauma. The court heard that the woman has complex PTSD and experienced suicidal ideation. The convicted men, including her uncle and three brothers, received sentences ranging from seven to 15 years. One brother is on the run, and his sentencing was postponed due to his absence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'I would feel safe with a new family,' familial abuse victim relieved following guilty verdicts. Charges or matters: three counts of rape and one count of anally raping her over an eight-year period between 2006 and 2014 when she was aged between 18 and 26; two counts of anally raping his deaf sister on dates between 2007 and 2009 while Accused F was convicted of a single count of raping her. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- October 19 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2003 and 2014 Incident
- 2006 and 2014 Incident
- 2007 and 2009 Incident
- 2003 and 2010 Incident
- 2010 and 2014 Incident
- 2005 and 2018 Incident
- 2026-07-13 Publication
Why: The court heard the woman is profoundly deaf and suffers from severe language deprivation, in part because she was not taught Irish Sign Language until later in her childhood. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of rape and one count of anally raping her over an eight-year period between 2006 and 2014 when she was aged between 18 and 26; two counts of anally raping his deaf sister on dates between 2007 and 2009 while Accused F was convicted of a single count of raping her (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Accused C is the brother who broke his bail conditions and his sentence hearing was unable to proceed in his absence today.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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