54-year-old Louth man jailed for sexually abusing his niece

He appeared in District Court and pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault on unknown dates between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2015.

The crime occurred between the ages of about 8 and 10.

The young lady read out her victim impact statement in which she said she had been sexually abused as a little girl.

She had remained silent for ten years, but it was not her job to “keep other people’s secrets.”

The investigating Garda stated that the girl could initially remember lying face down with the man lying naked on top of her.

Over the next two years, he sexually assaulted her weekly, after which he took her to shower together.

She didn’t tell her parents what was going on. As she grew older, she realized that what had happened was wrong.

After his arrest, the defendant made a voluntary statement.

According to his statement, he kept his clothes on. The attack lasted several minutes and occurred more than once.

He described it as “dry making out.” He had his clothes on and was aroused. He accepted that it was abusive.

He said that there had been showers once or twice, but claimed that they had never been naked together.

The defendant told investigators during questioning that she had “staged” the incident. At this point, police interrupted and said that couldn’t be true.

He finally accepted it. He denied ejaculating and touching the girl’s genitals. He said he was ashamed.

The man was single and had never been noticed by the Garda.

In her victim impact statement, the young woman said she felt like she was in the wrong. She suffered from severe anxiety and panic attacks and took medication and therapy, but nothing could ever take that feeling away from her.

Telling the story made it easier. She wanted to protect her family from the suffering that had been inflicted on her.

People were afraid to hug her. What happened built a wall between her and several family members and left the family in despair.

“I am sorry that this has caused them so much suffering.”

Her uncle was someone they all trusted. He had caused lifelong trauma for her and the family.

“I hope that by speaking out I can help others avoid the same fate. I will never stop speaking my mind. I will no longer keep terrible secrets to myself.”

Judge Dara Hayes noted that it took a lot of courage to even appear in court and make the report.

“I’m sorry this all happened to you, little girl.”

An apology letter from her uncle was read out. He said that his niece looked up to him and trusted him and that he took advantage of that.

He apologized to the victim’s parents, “who had entrusted me with their daughter,” and to his family.

Probation and psychological reports were available.

Judge Hayes said the defendant had attempted to rationalise his behaviour. Gardaí said this could not be the case and there were concerns that this attitude would continue.

Unfortunately, he showed a lack of insight and presented signed confessions.

After two days in custody, the man was sentenced to seven years and nine months in prison for each of the offences, retroactively to July 3 last year.

To assist his reintegration into society after his term of supervised release, the judge suspended the final nine months of his sentence for two years on probation in exchange for a good behavior bond.

In addition, he must submit himself to probation supervision for two years after his release, participate in a treatment program for sex offenders and fulfill other conditions.

Addressing the victim, Judge Hayes said: “I am sorry that you have to be here and that this has happened to you. I wish you and your family all the best for the future.”