Patrick Shanahan’s sexual assault convictions upheld

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Patrick Shanahan’s 14 sexual assault convictions were upheld by the Court of Appeal, leaving him to serve the remainder of his 11-year prison sentence. The decision was reported on 13 November 2023.

He was convicted at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court of sexually assaulting his two granddaughters, Daria and Tara Tobin, on dates between 2010 and 2014. Shanahan had pleaded not guilty to all counts. Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh rejected his appeal arguments concerning delay, an alleged inconsistency in one complaint and the admission of evidence about how the abuse was disclosed.