Galway farmer jailed for rape and sexual abuse of nephew

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

A 53-year-old Galway farmer was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court on 17 July 2023 to nine years in prison, with the final year suspended on strict conditions, for sexual offences against his nephew. He cannot be named to protect his nephew’s identity.

He pleaded guilty to indecent assault, sexual assault and oral rape of the child. The offences took place at a rural location in Co Galway between 1989 and 1996, when the child was aged between five and 13.

Ms Justice Eileen Creedon described the abuse as premeditated and persistent, and said it happened where the child could reasonably have expected to be safe and cared for. She set a headline sentence of 12 years and said the guilty plea was the most significant mitigating factor.

The complainant, aged 39 when the proceedings were reported, described the profound effect the abuse had on his life. The man had no previous convictions.