Courts / Dublin / Report
"Monster" who sexually abused daughters described as "kind and compassionate" in references handed to court
Summary
A man from County Mayo has been sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his conviction on eight counts of indecent and sexual assault against his four young daughters. Bernard Cunningham, aged 66, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict in April 2016 of offences committed between 1978 and 1992. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges. Judge Patrick McCartan stated that Cunningham had demonstrated an absolute absence of remorse and noted the victims endured what was described as a "horror of a home" involving sustained physical, mental and sexual abuse. The judge observed that character references describing Cunningham as kind and compassionate could not be reconciled with the evidence of his cruelty. During sentencing, the court acknowledged the victims' bravery in testifying, with one reporting lasting trauma including mental health difficulties. Cunningham's legal team highlighted recent health challenges but the judge emphasised the absence of any apology or acknowledgement of wrongdoing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Monster" who sexually abused daughters described as "kind and compassionate" in references handed to court. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 1978 and 1992 Incident
- 1978 and 1979 Incident
- 1991 and 1992 Incident
- 2016-06-09 Publication
Why: He said the victims were reared in a "horror of a home" where, because of their father's drinking, they were subjected to "sustained abuse; physical, mental and sexual". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: At his sentence hearing Judge McCartan noted how Cunningham had met the case by instructing his lawyers to put it to his daughters that they were lying.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request