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Dublin man jailed for sexually abusing his sister must await appeal fate
Summary
A 53‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment on 12 January 2015 for the continued sexual abuse of his seven‑year‑old sister between 1983 and 1987. He pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of indecent assault at the family home. The conviction was obtained by a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. On 19 April 2016 he lodged an appeal against the conviction. His barrister, Tara Burns SC, argued that the trial judge should have given a corroboration warning to the jury regarding the victim's evidence, claiming the judge's refusal was based on a "policy" of not giving such warnings in sexual cases. Burns cited discrepancies in the victim's evidence. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Roisín Lacey BL, defended the judge's practice as consistent with court dicta and said the lack of corroboration and discrepancies were matters for the jury.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dublin man jailed for sexually abusing his sister must await appeal fate. Charges or matters: 16 counts of indecent assault at the family home on dates between March 1, 1983 and March 1, 1987 when the victim was aged between seven and 11 years old. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- March 1, 1983 Incident
- March 1, 1987 Incident
- January 12, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-04-19 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: 16 counts of indecent assault at the family home on dates between March 1, 1983 and March 1, 1987 when the victim was aged between seven and 11 years old (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; A Dublin man jailed for the continued sexual abuse of his seven-year-old sister more than 30 years ago must wait to hear the outcome of his appeal against conviction. He was found guilty by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan on January 12, 2015.
Places mentioned
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Appeal Violent Crime
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