Courts / Ireland / Report
Uncle jailed for rape and abuse of niece
Summary
In March 2019, a 65‑year‑old man from Westmeath was sentenced to eight years in prison by the Central Criminal Court for a series of sexual offences against his niece. The woman, now 40, reported that the abuse began when she was eight and continued until she was 14, including repeated indecent assault, sexual assault and a rape that she estimated occurred when she was 12. She described the uncle's behaviour as controlling and grooming, noting that he would often touch her, masturbate in her presence and force oral sex. The court heard her victim impact report, in which she spoke of lasting trauma, depression and suicidal thoughts. Mr Justice Paul McDermott highlighted the aggravating factor of her age and the abuse's dominance over her childhood. The sentence included three years of post‑release supervision and a prohibition on any contact with the woman or her family. The unnamed 12 year-old pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Uncle jailed for rape and abuse of niece. Charges or matters: five sample counts of indecent assault, two sample counts of sexual assault and a single charge of rape on dates between July 1986 and December 1992. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 1986 Incident
- December 1992 Incident
- June 2015 Other
- August 2016 Incident
- 2019-03-04 Publication
Why: She described feeling claustrophobic because of the weight of him and said she was sore and bleeding afterward. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: five sample counts of indecent assault, two sample counts of sexual assault and a single charge of rape on dates between July 1986 and December 1992 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Today, her uncle, a 65-year-old man from Westmeath, was jailed for eight years at the Central Criminal Court after he pleaded guilty to five sample counts of indecent assault, two sample counts of sexual assault and a single charge of rape on dates between July 1986 and December 1992. He sentenced the man to eight years in prison and ordered that he undergo three years post release supervision during which time he is not to have any contact, either directly or indirectly with the woman or her family.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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