Courts / Ireland / Report

Brother repeatedly raped sister with "smirk on his face", court hears

Date
2018-02-26
Stage
Sentence

Summary

A 49‑year‑old Meath man was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury of four counts of raping and three counts of sexually assaulting his sister between 1983 and 1990, while he was found not guilty of one count of assault in their father's car in 1982. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial lasted a week in January and the jury deliberated for six hours. At the sentencing hearing, the victim, aged 49, described how her brother repeatedly raped and assaulted her with a "smirk" on his face, despite her pleas to stop. She said the abuse began when she was about 14 and continued until she was 20, occurring in fields, a shed, the family house and the hall. She revealed the abuse only after her brother confronted her at a family meeting, and she had kept it secret for years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Brother repeatedly raped sister with "smirk on his face", court hears. Charges or matters: all charges. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted

When:

Why: "I blamed myself because I was not strong enough to stop you but it wasn't my fault. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 49-year-old

Convicted Person

Charges: all charges (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Acquitted

Outcome: Acquitted; At his sentence hearing today, the victim said her brother ruined her teenage years and she lived in constant fear of when he would next rape her.; She adjourned the matter for sentencing on March 20.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report

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