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Rapist father "a highly manipulative person", appeal court finds

Summary

A County Mayo man convicted of raping his daughter between 2006 and 2010 has had his appeal against conviction dismissed by the Court of Appeal. The man, aged 47, was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment with the final year suspended following his conviction in the Central Criminal Court on charges of sexually assaulting and raping his daughter on multiple occasions when she was between seven and eleven years old. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction, finding the man to be "a highly manipulative and controlling person". The court rejected his argument that his daughter had confessed to fabricating her evidence during a prison visit, determining such claims were "not credible". Mr Justice John Edwards noted the victim's conflicting emotions but found her evidence remained adamant and consistent. The court also rejected a submission that the trial should have been halted following evidence from the victim's sister regarding similar allegations. The man continues to maintain his innocence. The unnamed 47-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rapist father "a highly manipulative person", appeal court finds. Charges or matters: sexually assaulting and raping his daughter in various ways in Co Mayo and abroad on dates between 2006 and 2010 when she was aged between seven and eleven; all offences and continues to maintain his innocence. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• 2006 and 2010 Incident
• 2019-12-20 Publication

Why: Under cross-examination from the man's barrister, Micheál P O'Higgins SC, the woman said she told her father in prison that she would withdraw her statement because she believed he was on his deathbed and would die in prison. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report