Menu
19/06/2012
Terminally Ill Man Given 18 Month Sentence For Abusing Daughters
A 74-year-old terminally ill man who sexually abused five of his daughters throughout their childhood has been jailed for 18 months.
The man pleaded guilty to 16 sample counts of rape, indecent assault and sexual assault between 1977 and 1990 in a number of locations around Galway.
The court heard the man has only weeks or months to live and will most likely die in prison, however Mr Justice Paul Carney rejected a defence application to allow him to spend his last days trying to reconcile with his family, which has been split apart by his offences.
The judge said he would usually try to avoid sentencing someone to die in prison, but that the offences were of such gravity that a custodial sentence had to be imposed.
He said because of the man’s condition he was only imposing a fraction of the sentence he normally would in such cases. He noted that the prison service had stated it would have great difficulty in meeting the man’s medical needs but that it would be able to cope.
The man appeared in court with a portable ventilator and coughed heavily through the hearing. He addressed the court at one point, saying: “I’m truly sorry, could you please forgive me?”
An investigation was launched in 2008 when five of the man’s daughters made a complaint to gardaí about being sexually abused throughout their childhood. The women are now all in their 30s.
The elderly man had denied all accusations and insisted his daughters were lying only later admitted to the abuse and blaming his bad memory on deteriorating health.
(H)
The man pleaded guilty to 16 sample counts of rape, indecent assault and sexual assault between 1977 and 1990 in a number of locations around Galway.
The court heard the man has only weeks or months to live and will most likely die in prison, however Mr Justice Paul Carney rejected a defence application to allow him to spend his last days trying to reconcile with his family, which has been split apart by his offences.
The judge said he would usually try to avoid sentencing someone to die in prison, but that the offences were of such gravity that a custodial sentence had to be imposed.
He said because of the man’s condition he was only imposing a fraction of the sentence he normally would in such cases. He noted that the prison service had stated it would have great difficulty in meeting the man’s medical needs but that it would be able to cope.
The man appeared in court with a portable ventilator and coughed heavily through the hearing. He addressed the court at one point, saying: “I’m truly sorry, could you please forgive me?”
An investigation was launched in 2008 when five of the man’s daughters made a complaint to gardaí about being sexually abused throughout their childhood. The women are now all in their 30s.
The elderly man had denied all accusations and insisted his daughters were lying only later admitted to the abuse and blaming his bad memory on deteriorating health.
(H)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 August 2010
Father Guilty Of Raping Children
A Dublin court has found a father guilty of raping his two daughters and sexually abusing his son. The jury of eight men and four women at the Central Criminal Court, convicted the man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his children, of 80 sexual offences against the three victims, yesterday.
Father Guilty Of Raping Children
A Dublin court has found a father guilty of raping his two daughters and sexually abusing his son. The jury of eight men and four women at the Central Criminal Court, convicted the man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his children, of 80 sexual offences against the three victims, yesterday.
08 July 2016
Fitzgerald Unveils Prison Officer Recruitment Campaign
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has unveiled a new recruitment campaign which aims to recruit up to 360 prison officers over the next three years.
Fitzgerald Unveils Prison Officer Recruitment Campaign
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has unveiled a new recruitment campaign which aims to recruit up to 360 prison officers over the next three years.
06 November 2012
Murdered Prison Officer's Funeral Takes Place Today
The funeral of murdered prison officer David Black is due to take place today. The 52-year-old father of two was shot as he drove to his work at Maghaberry Prison. The shooting occurred on the M1 in County Armagh on Thursday. A private service is to be held at the family home in Cookstown.
Murdered Prison Officer's Funeral Takes Place Today
The funeral of murdered prison officer David Black is due to take place today. The 52-year-old father of two was shot as he drove to his work at Maghaberry Prison. The shooting occurred on the M1 in County Armagh on Thursday. A private service is to be held at the family home in Cookstown.
31 May 2017
Missing Cork Man Found 'Safe And Well'
A missing 52-year-old man from Cork has been found 'safe and well', garda have reported. John Ryan was last seen in the Shanakiel area of Cork City on Wednesday, 24 May. However, Mr Ryan has now been located and no further action is required.
Missing Cork Man Found 'Safe And Well'
A missing 52-year-old man from Cork has been found 'safe and well', garda have reported. John Ryan was last seen in the Shanakiel area of Cork City on Wednesday, 24 May. However, Mr Ryan has now been located and no further action is required.
25 November 2015
Missing Co Mayo Man Found 'Safe And Well'
Missing Co Mayo man, David Duffy, has been found safe and well, garda have reported. Garda had issued an appeal for help in tracing 36-year-old Mr Duffy, who had not been seen since Sunday. Garda have thanked the public for their help and said that no further action is needed.
Missing Co Mayo Man Found 'Safe And Well'
Missing Co Mayo man, David Duffy, has been found safe and well, garda have reported. Garda had issued an appeal for help in tracing 36-year-old Mr Duffy, who had not been seen since Sunday. Garda have thanked the public for their help and said that no further action is needed.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Scattered showers of rain, sleet and, over hills, snow in the morning with sunny spells, the best of these in the south. The showers dying out this afternoon with increasing amounts of sunshine. Occasionally fresh westerly or northwesterly winds easing. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
