Ireland Case No. 7783Rape and sexual assault of a child · Co. Donegal
Appeal reserved in Donegal father's rape and sexual assault conviction
Michael Carter, a 55-year-old man from Buncrana, County Donegal (reported as 56 in 2025), was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court in June 2023 of one count of rape and 25 sample counts of sexual assault of his daughter, Karen Harkin, a 22-year-old woman, who was aged between nine and 12 when the offences occurred between June 2010 and June 2014 at his rented home. Carter was sentenced on 25 July 2023 to 11 years for the rape count, with the final six months suspended for 12 months on strict conditions, and eight years for the sexual assault counts, all to run concurrently, backdated to 28 June 2023. He does not accept the verdict and maintains his innocence. Carter appealed his conviction to the Court of Appeal, where his legal team argued that a statement by the victim's aunt should not have been admitted into evidence; the court reserved judgment on 8 May 2025.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court24 Jul
2 reports - Convicted24 Jul
2 reports - Sentenced25 Jul
6 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Carter was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of one count of rape and 25 sample counts of sexual assault of his daughter.
- The abuse occurred frequently during visits and included inappropriate touching; on one occasion Carter raped the victim and stopped when she screamed.
- Where
- The offences took place at Carter's rented home in Kinnego, Ballymagan, Buncrana, County Donegal.
- When
- The offences occurred between June 2010 and June 2014, when the victim was aged between nine and 12.
- Investigation
- The victim told an aunt about the abuse in 2016 and made a formal complaint to gardaí in 2018; Carter was arrested in December 2018 and denied the allegations in a pre-prepared statement.
- Charges
- Carter was charged in September 2020 and sent forward for trial.
- In court
- The jury found Carter guilty unanimously on the rape count and by a ten-to-two majority on the 25 sexual assault counts in June 2023.
- Carter does not accept the verdict, maintains his innocence, and has appealed his conviction.
- At the Court of Appeal on 8 May 2025, the defence argued the victim's aunt's statement should not have been admitted as it was elicited by question and answer; the court reserved judgment.
- Sentence
- Carter was sentenced on 25 July 2023 to 11 years for the rape count with the final six months suspended for 12 months on strict conditions, and eight years for the sexual assault counts, all concurrent, backdated to 28 June 2023.
- Other details
- Carter has 12 previous convictions, none of a sexual nature, and will be a registered sex offender.
- The victim, Karen Harkin, waived her anonymity so her father could be named.
84 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCarter was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of one count of rape and 25 counts of sexual assault. (donegallive.ie)
- whatThe abuse occurred frequently during visits and included inappropriate touching. (donegallive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatCarter raped the victim on one occasion and stopped when she screamed. (donegallive.ie)
- whatThe victim was raped and sexually abused by her father when she was a child. (irishtimes.com)
- whatOn one occasion Carter raped the victim and stopped when she screamed. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA 55-year-old man was jailed for raping his daughter when she was a child. (rte.ie)
- whatA man raped his daughter when she was a child. (extra.ie)
- whereCarter lives at Kinnego, Ballymagan, Buncrana, Co Donegal. (donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe abuse occurred when the victim visited her father's rented home. (donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whereThe abuse occurred when the victim was visiting her father's rented house. (rte.ie)
- whereCarter is from Kinnego, Ballymagan, Buncrana, County Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe abuse happened when the victim visited her father's rented home. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe abuse took place at Carter's rented home, which the judge treated as an aggravating feature. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe sexual offences took place between June 2010 and June 2014. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe victim was aged between nine and 12 when the abuse occurred. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe offences were committed between June 2010 and June 2014. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offences took place between June 2010 and June 2014. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe abuse went on for four years, starting when the victim was nine. (rte.ie)
- whenThe abuse took place between June 2010 and June 2014, when the victim was aged nine to 12. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe abuse took place between June 2010 and June 2014, when the victim was aged between nine and 12. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe offences occurred between June 2010 and June 2014, when the victim was aged between nine and 12. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offences occurred between June 2010 and June 2014, when the victim was aged nine to 12. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe abuse occurred between June 2010 and June 2014, when the daughter was aged between nine and 12. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe victim told an aunt about the abuse in 2016 and made a formal complaint to gardaí in 2018. (donegallive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationCarter was arrested in December 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationCarter was arrested in December 2018 and told gardaí in a pre-prepared statement that he had never done anything wrong to his daughter. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe victim made her first statement to gardaí in 2018 and the accused was arrested later that year. (rte.ie)
- investigationCarter denied any wrongdoing when interviewed by gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationCarter was arrested in December 2018 and denied the allegations in a pre-prepared statement. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationWhen interviewed by gardaí, Carter denied any wrongdoing. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeCarter was charged in September 2020 and sent forward for trial. (donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeCarter was found guilty of one count of rape and 25 sample counts of sexual assault. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- chargeCarter was found guilty by a jury of one count of rape and 25 sample counts of sexual assault. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeCarter was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of one count of rape and 25 sample counts of sexual assault. (thejournal.ie)
- courtCarter does not accept the jury's verdict and maintains his innocence. (donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the case to the next day to finalise sentence. (donegallive.ie)
- courtCarter was found guilty of one count of rape and 25 counts of sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe verdict followed a trial at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCarter was found guilty of one count of rape and 25 counts of sexual assault against his daughter, who was aged between nine and 12. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial due in 2022 could not go ahead and a new trial date was set. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury at the Central Criminal Court unanimously found him guilty of one count of rape. (rte.ie)
- courtHe was also convicted of 25 sexual assault charges by a ten to two majority. (rte.ie)
- courtThe accused said he rejected and refuted the allegation and still maintains this. (rte.ie)
- courtThe court heard the accused does not accept the jury's verdict. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Karen O'Connor said Carter took advantage of his position and abused his daughter. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge said Carter took advantage of his position and abused his daughter when he should have protected her. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge described a massive breach of trust between a father and his young daughter. (thejournal.ie)
- courtCarter did not plead guilty, so that form of mitigation was not available. (thejournal.ie)
- courtCarter has appealed his conviction. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe defence argues that the aunt's statement should not have been admitted into evidence. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe defence says the complaint was elicited by question and answer rather than being voluntary. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe prosecution says the complaint was not dragged out of the complainant. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe prosecution says there was no identifiable inconsistency in the evidence. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe court reserved judgment. (donegallive.ie)
- courtCarter was found guilty in June 2023 at the Central Criminal Court of one count of rape and 25 sample counts of sexual assault. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe DPP's view is that the rape count is in the more serious category and warrants a headline sentence of ten to 15 years. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe DPP's view is that the rape count warrants a headline sentence of ten to 15 years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge adjourned the case to the next day to finalise the sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe victim read a victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge adjourned the case to Tuesday to finalise the sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge sentenced the accused to 11 years, with the final six months suspended. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe man was jailed for 10 years. (extra.ie)
- sentenceCarter was jailed for ten and a half years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceCarter was sentenced to 11 years for the rape count, with the final six months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceCarter was sentenced to eight years for the sexual assault counts, with all sentences to run concurrently. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was backdated to June 28, when Carter entered custody. (irishtimes.com, donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed 11 years for the rape count, with the final six months suspended for 12 months on strict conditions. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed eight years for the sexual assault counts, with all sentences to run concurrently. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 12 years for the rape count. (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- sentenceCarter was sentenced to 11 years for the rape count, with the final six months suspended for 12 months. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceCarter was sentenced to 11 years for the rape count, with the final six months suspended for 12 months on strict conditions. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was backdated to 28 June, when Carter entered custody. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe judge noted Carter will be a registered sex offender. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceCarter was sentenced by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor to ten and a half years in prison. (donegallive.ie)
- otherCarter has 12 previous convictions, none of a sexual nature. (donegallive.ie)
- otherCarter does not accept the verdict and maintains his innocence. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge described the offending as a massive breach of trust. (rte.ie)
- otherThe accused has previous convictions for breaching a barring order, harassment and trespass, and several road traffic convictions. (rte.ie)
- otherCarter will be a registered sex offender. (irishtimes.com, donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- otherCarter has not pleaded guilty and has not expressed any remorse. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe victim, Karen Harkin, waived her anonymity so her father could be named. (donegallive.ie)
- otherCarter has no previous convictions of a sexual nature. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe victim waived her anonymity so her father could be named. (irishmirror.ie, donegallive.ie)
- otherCarter has not expressed any remorse and does not accept the jury's verdict. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 8 May2025Donegal man who raped daughter says her aunt's evidence should have been excluded
Reports the Court of Appeal hearing of Carter's appeal against conviction, with judgment reserved. Gives Carter's age as 56, while the existing record has 55.
convicted, Michael Carter, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Cartervictim, Karen Harkin, female, irish (judged from name)Karen Harkin - 25 Jul2023Donegal man jailed for 10 and half years for rape and sexual abuse of daughter
Reports the sentencing: 11 years for the rape count with the final six months suspended, 8 years for the sexual assault counts, all concurrent, backdated to 28 June. The judge described a massive breach of trust and noted Carter will be a registered sex offender. Karen Harkin waived her anonymity and gave a victim impact statement.
victim, Karen Harkin, 22, female, irish (judged from name)Karen Harkinconvicted, Michael Carter, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Carter - 25 Jul2023Donegal man who raped his daughter jailed for ten and a half years
Sentencing report. Adds the sentence (ten and a half years), the breakdown of sentences, backdating to June 28, registration as a sex offender, and that the victim, Karen Harkin, waived her anonymity.
convicted, Michael Carter, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Cartervictim, Karen Harkin, 22, female, irish (judged from name)Karen Harkin - 25 Jul2023Ten and a half years in jail for Donegal man who repeatedly raped his daughter
Sentencing report: Carter is jailed for ten and a half years, with the sentence details, the judge's remarks, the victim impact statements and Carter's continued denial of guilt. The existing case recorded the case at court stage.
victim, Karen Harkin, 22, female, irish (judged from name)Karen Harkinconvicted, Michael Carter, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Carter - 25 Jul2023Father (55) jailed for 10½ years over rape and sexual assault of daughter
Sentencing report. Carter was found guilty by a jury after trial at the Central Criminal Court. The abuse occurred at his rented home. Carter does not accept the verdict and will be a registered sex offender.
convicted, Michael Carter, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Cartervictim, Karen Harkin, 22, female, irish (judged from name)Karen Harkin - 25 Jul2023Man Who Raped Daughter As A Child Jailed For 10 Years
The article text contains only template markup. The title and publication date (2023-07-25) are the only usable content.
convicted, malevictim, female - 25 Jul2023Father gets ten years in jail for raping daughter
Reports the sentencing: 11 years with the final six months suspended, a victim impact statement from Karen Harkin, the accused's previous convictions, and that he does not accept the verdict. The article's headline and text give ten and a half years, while the sentence as stated is 11 years with six months suspended.
victim, Karen Harkin, 22, female, irish (judged from name)Karen Harkinconvicted, Michael Carter, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Carter - 24 Jul2023Woman raped by her father tells court: ‘I was no longer a little girl and I never would be again’
Reports the victim impact statement read at the sentencing hearing and the adjournment of sentence to a later date. Also gives the trial verdict, the timeline of the abuse, the reporting history and the case's procedural history.
convicted, Michael Carter, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Cartervictim, Karen Harkin, 22, female, irish (judged from name)Karen Harkin - 24 Jul2023Donegal woman raped by father tells of pride at getting justice
Reports the sentencing hearing and the victim impact statement of Karen Harkin. The sentence had not yet been finalised. Gives the period of the offences as June 2010 to June 2014 and the DPP's sentencing view.
victim, Karen Harkin, 22, female, irish (judged from name)Karen Harkinconvicted, Michael Carter, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Carter - 24 Jul2023Donegal man to be sentenced tomorrow for the repeated abuse of his young daughter
Adds that the sentencing hearing took place with a victim impact statement from Karen Harkin, that the sentence was adjourned to the next day, that Carter maintains his innocence, the DPP's proposed headline sentence of ten to 15 years, his previous convictions, and the timing of the abuse and the complaint.
victim, Karen Harkin, 22, female, irish (judged from name)Karen Harkinconvicted, Michael Carter, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Carter