Courts / Cavan / Report
Former solider has jail time cut for abusing girls
Summary
A former soldier from Ballyhaise, County Cavan, has had the final year of his 15-year prison sentence suspended by the Court of Appeal. Shane Costello, aged 50, was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting three young girls over a decade, including his stepdaughter, who was aged 13 to 14 at the time of the offences in 2012. He had denied the rape charges but pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two other children between 2001 and 2013. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, found the offending grave and noted Costello had abused his position of trust as a father figure. The court re-sentenced him to 14 years and six months imprisonment, with three years post-release supervision imposed. Costello is required to enter into a good behaviour bond for the suspended period.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former solider has jail time cut for abusing girls. Charges or matters: the rape, oral rape and attempted oral rape of his stepdaughter on dates in 2012 when she was aged between 13 and 14 years; sexually assaulting two other children on dates between 2001 and 2013. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- 2001 and 2013 Incident
- 2020-02-25 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the rape, oral rape and attempted oral rape of his stepdaughter on dates in 2012 when she was aged between 13 and 14 years; sexually assaulting two other children on dates between 2001 and 2013 (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; The Court of Appeal suspended the final 12 months of his 15-year-sentence today and ordered three years post-release supervision, following an appeal. Ms Justice Kennedy, who sat with Mr Justice John Edwards and Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly, re-sentenced Costello to 15 years imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Related court reports
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request