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Suspended sentence for man who sexually assaulted niece
Summary
Damien Farrell, 40, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for sexually assaulting his niece. The defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault committed in Dublin between April 1 and September 1, 1992, when the victim was eight years old. Prosecutors stated the assaults occurred while the victim was being babysat at her grandmother's house, where Farrell lived. The first two incidents involved physical contact of a sexual nature while both parties were fully clothed, while the third involved the accused and victim being unclothed. Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan imposed a two-year sentence suspended for three years. In passing sentence, the judge considered the devastating effects on the victim and her family, Farrell's guilty pleas, his letter of apology, and his current family circumstances. The judge noted the victim's statement that she is no longer a victim. Farrell, who has relocated to Sligo, wept as the sentence was read. He has been registered as a sex offender. Defence counsel highlighted that Farrell had disclosed the offences to his wife before marriage and had attended therapy following the incidents in 1992. The court accepted his plea of guilty to sexual assault on the third count.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for man who sexually assaulted niece. Charges or matters: three counts of sexual assault at a location in Dublin between April 1st 1992 and September 1st 1992, while the woman was eight years old. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 1st 1992 Incident
- September 1st 1992 Incident
- 2016-04-08 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of sexual assault at a location in Dublin between April 1st 1992 and September 1st 1992, while the woman was eight years old (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed a two year sentence suspended for three years. Farrell held his head in his hands and wept as the sentence was read out.
Places mentioned
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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