Published:
-
-
Author: Ann Healy
~ 2 minutes read
An estranged father who sexually assaulted his then-ten-year-old daughter seven years ago will escape a two-year jail term – if he pays her €12,000 within the next twelve months.
Counsel for the 51-year-old man, who cannot be identified in order to protect the identity of the victim, indicated at Galway Circuit Criminal Court this week that his client would avail of Judge Brian O’Callaghan’s offer and would sell off some of his assets to raise the €12,000.
Earlier in the sentence hearing, the now-17-year-old victim told the court the seven-year delay in bringing her father to justice had caused her and her mother untold grief and suffering.
“It’s been seven years, dealing with court dates and adjournments and only now, seven years later, have I got the closure I needed,” she said.
The judge apologised to her and everyone else involved for the delay in finalising the case.
“Even allowing for Covid, it is without question that the judicial, legal, criminal system has failed all parties in this case and it’s appropriate I should give that apology,” Judge O’Callaghan said.
Prosecuting state counsel, Conall MacCarthy, said the man maintained his innocence when arrested and interviewed in April 2016.
He had been due to stand trial on two occasions in the last few years but each time his trial was adjourned for various reasons, including Covid.
He then pleaded guilty, moments before his trial was eventually due to get underway last November, to a charge of sexually assaulting the girl on August 15, 2015, at the family home near a Co. Galway village.
Sentence was adjourned on four occasions since to await the results of a probation report before it was finalised this week.
Resd the full court report in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now, or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie. You can also download our Connacht Tribune App from Apple’s App Store or get the Android Version from Google Play.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune:
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
More like this:
Volunteers required as 500 trees set to be planted in Glenamaddy today
Glenamaddy Community Garden is appealing for volunteers today, Good Friday, to help with the plan...
Ann still going strong in charity kitchens at 85 years of age!
From this week's Galway City Tribune - After working her entire life on a farm and raising a fami...
Liam Carroll shafted by FG HQ in Galway County Council race
Bradley Bytes - a sort of political column with Dara Bradley What is going on in Fine Gael? No...
Schools’ anger over Government ultimatum on uprooting Ukrainian pupils
From this week's Galway City Tribune - Ukrainian families who integrated into the community on Ga...
An Bord Pleanála overrules safety concerns of its own senior inspector
From this week's Galway City Tribune - An Bord Pleanála has ignored the concerns of one of its ow...
United face busy weekend with ties against Derry City and Bohemians
IT’S possibly not an appropriate quip to make, given the nature of the film in question, and the ...
Clifden extends invite to annual Trad Fest
Riverdance composer Bill Whelan will officially open the 13th Annual Clifden Traditional Music Fe...
Bands joining forces for Ballinasloe show
The Reeths-Puffer High School Band from Michigan, USA, will be performing a free concert with the...
KATS get in the spirit with revival of Drinking Habits
Galway City’s award-winning theatre company, KATS, is reviving its lauded production of Tom Smith...