Teen brothers who abused sister were raised in 'toxic sexual environment', court hears

Two brothers whose guilty pleas were entered at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court in October 2019 have had their sentences reviewed at the Court of Appeal following challenges on grounds of severity and insufficient weight given to mitigating circumstances. The older brother, convicted of sexually assaulting his sister in 2007-2008 when he was aged 19 to 20, received a three-and-a-half-year sentence with the final 12 months suspended. The younger brother, aged 15 at the time of his offence under child protection legislation, was sentenced to two years with nine months suspended. On appeal, the younger brother's sentence was found to be too severe by the three-judge court, which directed his immediate release subject to probation supervision for 18 months. His suspended portion commenced on 19 November. The older brother's appeal was dismissed, with the court finding the custodial term fell within appropriate judicial discretion.