Courts / Dublin / Report
Conviction for 'grievous' abuse of niece is upheld
Summary
A 46‑year‑old man was convicted of 15 counts of sexually assaulting his niece between 1991 and 1994 and four counts of indecent assault between 1988 and 1991. The jury could not agree on verdicts for 20 counts of assault against the niece's sister. He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with Judge Martin Nolan describing the abuse as "in the most grievous way" and estimating over 100 occasions of abuse. The appellant appealed on seven grounds, including alleged collusion between the sisters' statements and the trial judge's failure to warn the jury. The three‑judge Court of Appeal rejected all grounds, upholding the jury verdicts and the conviction. The appeal was dismissed, and the conviction remains in force.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Conviction for 'grievous' abuse of niece is upheld. Charges or matters: 15 counts of sexually assaulting his niece between January 1991 and 1994. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- January 1991 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 1988 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 1992 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 1995 Hearing Or Sentence
- 1991 and 1994 Other
- 2020-11-17 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: 15 counts of sexually assaulting his niece between January 1991 and 1994 (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; A man jailed for seven years for sexually abusing his niece "in the most grievous way" has lost an appeal against his conviction.; Ms Justice Kennedy said there was also "no merit" in complaints that the trial should have been adjourned when the jury was reduced to eleven members after the foreman was discharged for personal reasons by the judge.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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