Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 5670Rape (three counts); anal rape (two counts); sexual assault (one count) · Co. Waterford · 1 Nov 2014

Man jailed for 11½ years for repeatedly raping 12-year-old stepdaughter in Waterford

A 41-year-old man was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Waterford, of raping his 12-year-old stepdaughter in the family home in the southeast of the country in November and December 2014. He was 31 at the time, and the abuse included an incident on Christmas Eve, even after the girl confided in her mother. On 14 June 2024 Judge Karen O'Connor set a headline sentence of 13½ years, reduced it to 11½ years and backdated it to when he went into custody in March. The man continues to deny the abuse, and his counsel has said he intends to appeal.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced14 Jun
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The man abused the girl on four separate occasions in 2014, in her bed and once on the floor of her sibling's room.
  • He put his hand over the girl's mouth during the abuse.
  • On one occasion he bit her breasts and pulled her hair, leaving clumps on her pillow.
When
The abuse took place in November and December 2014, including on Christmas Eve.
Other details
  • The man was 31 at the time of the abuse and was 41 at sentencing.
  • He continues to deny abusing the girl, and his defence counsel said he intends to appeal.
  • Social services were involved with the family and the girl was taken into care.
  • He had no previous convictions and a good work history.
Where
The abuse took place in the family home in the southeast of the country.
Investigation
The girl confided in her mother after the second incident, but the abuse continued on two more occasions.
In court
The trial was held at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford.
Charges
A jury found him guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of anal rape and one count of sexual assault.
Sentence
  • Judge Karen O'Connor set a headline sentence of 13½ years and reduced it to 11½ years on 14 June 2024.
  • The sentence was backdated to when he went into custody in March.
24 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man abused the girl on four separate occasions in 2014 (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man put his hand over the girl's mouth during the abuse (irishtimes.com)
  • whatOn one occasion he bit her breasts and pulled her hair, leaving clumps on her pillow (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe girl confided in her mother after the second incident but the abuse continued on two more occasions (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man was found guilty by a jury of three counts of rape, two counts of anal rape and one count of sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe man abused the girl on four separate occasions in 2014 when she was in her bed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe abuse took place in the family home in the southeast of the country (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe abuse happened in the family home in the south-east of the country. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe abuse took place in November and December 2014 when the girl was 12 and the man was 31 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenOne of the abuse incidents took place on Christmas Eve (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe abuse took place in November and December 2014, when the girl was 12. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe girl confided in her mother after the second incident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe was found guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of anal rape and one count of sexual assault (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial was held at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to when he went into custody in March (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Karen O'Connor set a headline sentence of 13.5 years and reduced it to 11.5 years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to when the man went into custody in March. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe man continued to deny he abused the girl (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDefence counsel told the court he intended to appeal (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSocial services were involved with the family and the girl was taken into care (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe man had no previous convictions and a good work history (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe man has no previous convictions and a good work history. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe man continues to deny abusing the girl. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said the man intends to appeal. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Jun2024
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man who raped 12 year-old stepdaughter is sentenced to almost 12 years in prison

    Reports the Central Criminal Court sentencing of a man for repeatedly raping his 12-year-old stepdaughter in 2014, after a jury conviction, with an 11.5-year sentence and a planned appeal.

    victim, 12, femaleconvicted, 41, male
  2. 14 Jun2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man who repeatedly raped ‘vulnerable’ stepdaughter jailed for 11½ years

    Sentencing hearing reported: headline sentence of 13½ years reduced to 11½ years, backdated to March custody. Defence indicated intention to appeal.

    convicted, 41, malevictim, 12, female