Courts / Donegal / Report
'I lost my childhood', victim abused by adopted father tells court
Summary
A 57-year-old man from County Donegal has been convicted of sexually assaulting a boy in his care between 2003 and 2004. The defendant, whose identity is protected to safeguard the victim, faced trial at the Central Criminal Court on seven counts of oral rape, to which he pleaded not guilty. A jury acquitted him of these charges but convicted him of the alternative lesser offence of sexual assault involving molestation of the child's genitals when the victim was aged between 13 and 15 years. Ms Justice Carmel Stewart imposed a two-year sentence, suspending the final six months on strict conditions. The victim, now in his twenties, delivered an impact statement describing how the abuse had destroyed his childhood and caused ongoing trauma. During sentencing, the court noted the defendant had offered to plead guilty to sexual assault prior to trial, an offer rejected by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'I lost my childhood', victim abused by adopted father tells court. Charges or matters: seven charges of oral rape of the boy at the then family home in Co Donegal in 2003 and 2004. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- 2003 and 2004 Incident
- 2020-02-13 Publication
Why: By Declan Brennan & Brion Hoban A man who was sexually assaulted by his adopted father has said he lost his childhood because of the attacks. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: seven charges of oral rape of the boy at the then family home in Co Donegal in 2003 and 2004 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Ms Justice Stewart sentenced the man to two years imprisonment, but suspended the final six months of the sentence on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Court upholds former Defence Force member's conviction for raping fellow soldier
- Lawyers 'concerned' over wait for evidence 20 years on from Denis Donaldson murder
- Ex-garda seeks allowance for services to Irish-language communities
- Sliabh Liag murderers appeal convictions
- Six years for Algerian national who carried out 'violent predatory' sex attack
- 'Shame on you' - rapist refuses to accept jury verdict
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.