Fourteen Years For Cork Sister's Rapist

The Cork man who raped two teenage sisters of his former girlfriend has been given a 14-year sentence.

Trevor Casey, 31, from Closes Road, Fairhill was convicted by a jury last February on eight charges involving four counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault on dates in 2003 and 2004 at three Cork addresses.

The victims and their family said they wanted Casey named in media reports of the case. Both victims gave evidence that he raped them after they awoke to find him in their beds.

Casey said in evidence during the trial that he never had any sexual relationship with either girl and described as "sick" an allegation that he abused one of them while his son slept in the same room.

Defence counsel, Mr Tim O'Leary SC handed in testimonials from several prominent people which he said indicated Casey came from "a family held in very high regard".

"He comes from good stock and is of good stock," he said.

"This sentence will wreak devastation not only on my client but also on his parents."

Mr Justice McCarthy was told the younger victim had been admitted into psychiatric care on occasions as a result of being abused by Casey.

He was told she kept a diary in which she recorded what happened and the effect it had on her, causing her "to hate my life". Among the points she recorded were "Leave me alone" and also "I wish I was dead."

Mr Justice McCarthy directed that Casey's name be added to the register of sex offenders.

The judge noted he had received personal letters from Labour TD, Mrs Kathleen Lynch and from a former Lord Mayor of Cork, Mr John Murray, indicating that Casey came from a good family with integrity. He said, however, that he felt there was little in the way of mitigation rising from them in all the circumstances.

(DW/JM)