Wicklow grandfather's sentence for sexually abusing granddaughter more than doubled to nine years
A 77-year-old man from Wicklow was convicted by a jury at Wicklow Circuit Court sitting in Bray of five counts of sexual assault of his granddaughter, who was aged between six and 13, on dates between October 2007 and November 2014. He had pleaded not guilty, and Judge James McCourt sentenced him to five years with the final 12 months suspended on 17 June 2024. The DPP applied for a review of the sentence on the grounds it was too low. In May 2025, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath at the Court of Criminal Appeal found the original sentence unduly lenient and imposed a concurrent nine-year term, more than doubling the original sentence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced2 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The offences included attempted penetration of the complainant when she was between eight and nine years old.
- The girl was aged between six and 13 during the offences.
- When
- The offences occurred on dates between October 2007 and November 2014.
- Where
- The offences took place in various locations in Wicklow.
- Charges
- He pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual assault.
- In court
- He was convicted by a jury at Wicklow Circuit Court sitting in Bray.
- The DPP applied for a review of the sentence on the grounds it was too low.
- Mr Justice MacGrath at the Court of Criminal Appeal found the original sentence unduly lenient and an error in principle.
- Sentence
- Judge James McCourt sentenced him to five years with the final 12 months suspended on 17 June 2024.
- Mr Justice MacGrath imposed a concurrent nine-year term backdated to when the man first went into custody, with a headline sentence of 11 years.
- Other details
- The maximum sentence applicable was 14 years.
- A probation report noted the man continued to demonstrate a lack of remorse or empathy for his victim.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe offending included attempted penetration of the complainant when she was between eight and nine years old. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe girl was aged between six and 13 during the offences. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences occurred on dates between October 2007 and November 2014. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual assault in various locations. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was convicted by a jury at Wicklow Circuit Court sitting in Bray. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP applied for a review of the sentence on the grounds it was too low. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice MacGrath found the original sentence unduly lenient and an error in principle. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe was jailed for nine years by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe original sentence was five years with the final 12 months suspended, imposed by Judge James McCourt on 17 June 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe new headline sentence was set at 11 years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceA concurrent sentence of nine years was imposed on each count, backdated to when the man first went into custody. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe maximum sentence applicable was 14 years. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe was entering prison for the first time at an advanced age with medical issues. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA probation report noted the man continued to demonstrate a lack of remorse or empathy for his victim. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 2 May2025Man who sexually abused his granddaughter has sentence more than doubled
Reports the Court of Criminal Appeal's sentence review in which Mr Justice MacGrath quashed the original five-year sentence (12 months suspended) imposed by Judge James McCourt in June 2024 and imposed a concurrent nine-year term, describing the offending as 'grave' and 'as close as might be' to attempted rape.
convicted, 77, male, irish (judged from name)victim, female