Patrick O'Brien's rape sentence ruled too lenient

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

Patrick O'Brien's 12-year rape sentence, with nine years suspended, was ruled unduly lenient by the Court of Appeal, reported on 19 January 2015.

O'Brien had pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to 16 sample charges of rape and indecent assault against his daughter in Dún Laoghaire between 1973 and 1982.

The court found his age and serious illnesses could reduce his sentence but could not make imprisonment impossible to tolerate.

It endorsed the highest category of offending and said the trial judge had erred by suspending nine years. A further hearing was listed to determine the new sentence.