Courts / Dublin / Report
Retired surgeon's conviction for abusing boys over 21 year-period is upheld
Summary
A retired doctor, aged 86, lost an appeal against a conviction for abusing seven boys over a 21‑year period up to 1992. He had pleaded not guilty to 12 charges of indecent assault and one charge of sexual assault committed during medical examinations beginning in 1971. The Court of Appeal rejected 17 grounds of appeal, including claims that the trial was unfair because of the doctor's age and that the judge's use of the word "compelling" was improper. The judge had told the jury that if the complainants had made their statements independently, the number of complaints would be compelling. The court found no substance to these complaints. The doctor was sentenced to four years in prison, with 18 months on all other counts, all sentences running concurrently. The appeal was dismissed by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, Mr Justice John Edwards and Ms Justice Una Ní Raifeartaigh.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Retired surgeon's conviction for abusing boys over 21 year-period is upheld. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- 2020-11-17 Publication
Why: His barrister had argued that the trial was unfair because of the doctor's age (86) and that the judge had erred in telling the jury that if there was no collusion, then the fact there were seven complainants was "compelling" evidence. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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