Rapist who successfully challenged pensions law fails in sentence appeal

A 77-year-old man convicted of raping and sexually assaulting his daughter has failed in his appeal against a 12-year prison sentence imposed in 2011. The Court of Appeal dismissed the challenge on 7 December 2017, finding no error in the sentencing judge's approach or conclusions. The offences, involving 14 rape counts and 60 sexual assault counts, occurred in Galway and Roscommon between 2002 and 2006 when the victim was aged between nine and fourteen. The man, whose identity is protected to safeguard the victim, was convicted following a retrial at the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice John Hedigan noted aggravating factors including breach of trust, the domestic setting, the victim's age, the prolonged nature of the abuse, and the absence of genuine remorse. The appellant had argued insufficient weight was given to his previous good character and work as a sporting coach, but the three-judge court rejected these contentions. The case acquired further notoriety when the Supreme Court separately ruled that legislation stopping his State pension constituted an impermissible additional penalty.