Peter Clarke loses appeal over sexual assault sentences

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

Peter Clarke lost his appeal against sexual assault sentences at the Court of Appeal. The proceedings were reported on 12 December 2014.

He had pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault against two young girls in County Monaghan. The offences were committed in May and September 2011. The first occurred on Main Street, Carrickmacross, on 12 May 2011; the second occurred outside a local church.

Judge John O'Hagan imposed two concurrent five-year prison sentences at Monaghan Circuit Criminal Court on 11 January 2013.

Ms Justice Mary Irvine sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan. The Court of Appeal found that the sentencing judge had properly considered the circumstances, the guilty plea and all mitigating factors. It was not satisfied that the sentences were severe enough to warrant setting them aside.

Clarke was returned to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence. On release, he must fully engage with the probation service for seven years.