Man in bid to overturn conviction for abusing three sisters

A Mayo man has appealed his conviction for sexually abusing three sisters over an extended period. He was found guilty in October 2017 on 19 counts of indecent assault against one girl and one count each against her two sisters. The Circuit Criminal Court jury heard evidence of offences occurring between 1976 and 1994, when the victims were aged between nine and twelve years old. The man received concurrent sentences totalling seven years. His appeal, heard remotely at the Court of Appeal, centres on whether the trial judge erred in refusing to sever the indictment, allowing all three complaints to be heard simultaneously. The appellant's counsel argued the cases lacked the striking similarities required for joint trial. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel contended substantial similarities existed, including the victims' ages, family connection, and consistent methods of abuse. The three-judge panel reserved its decision.