Courts / Dublin / Report
10-year sentence for repeated abuse of toddler 'too long', court told
Summary
In October 2020, a 53‑year‑old man was sentenced to ten years in prison for 56 counts of indecent assault on his toddler cousin between 1982 and 1986. The offences involved forcing his penis into the child's mouth and placing her on a toilet seat. The victim, who was about two and a half when the abuse began, described enduring terror, a loss of trust, and an attempt to kill herself at age 15. She also expressed guilt for "making a fuss" during the trial. The man, who was 15 at the start of the abuse and under 18 for most of it, appealed the sentence, arguing that the headline term of 14 years was excessively high and that his age and good character had not been adequately considered. The Court of Appeal adjourned the case for judgment on 9 October 2020. The unnamed man was convicted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 10-year sentence for repeated abuse of toddler 'too long', court told. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- January 1982 Incident
- August 1986 Incident
- August 1985 Other
- Friday, October 9 Adjournment
- 2020-10-06 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; by Paul Neilan A man jailed for ten years for repeatedly indecently assaulting his toddler cousin has appealed against the severity of his sentence at the Court of Appeal today. The man, who cannot be named so that his victim cannot be identified, was sentenced in May of last year at Dublin Circuit Court for 56 counts of indecent assault on the child over a four-year period.; President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham, appearing by video-link at the three-judge court, adjourned the case to Friday, October 9, for judgement.
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