Outrage as sex attacker avoids jail term

A judge who controversially jailed a businessman for six years for a garlic import scam has let a sex attacker walk free from court.

Judge Martin Nolan freed car dealer Aidan Farrington, aged 45, who abused his two adult nieces on three separate occasions, saying the publication of his name was punishment enough.

The Rape Crisis Network Ireland has criticised the decision and said the case highlighted the need for sentencing guidelines.

Judge Nolan said the abuse was very serious but “the seriousness of the assaults themselves do not mandate a custodial sentence”. He ordered that Farrington’s name could be reported in the media after hearing the victims had no problem with this.

“This will be a punishment in itself. He will be rightfully held in public odium for what he has done.”

However, the RCNI said the victims were looking for something more substantial.

“While naming the perpetrator is a punishment, it is very important that no one minimises the gravity of his crimes because of the lack of a custodial sentence,” said a spokesperson.

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said it was “obviously a serious case if the DPP sent it to the criminal court. So to suspend the sentence sends out a very mixed message”.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the abuse had torn the family apart and victim impact reports by the women stated they still suffered the consequences every day.

Farrington’s wife said the father of four was a “magnificent person and the absolute rock of the family”.

The judge said all the incidents of abuse lasted a short amount of time and were lower down the scale compared with other cases that came before the court.

He imposed a three-year term suspended for three years. Farrington was not added to the register of sex offenders as the victims were over 18.

Farrington, of Iona Drive, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing one niece in 1995 in his mother’s home and abusing another in 1998 in his own house and again in 2001 in a Kilkenny hotel.

The first incident happened after the then 22-year-old victim was on a work night out which Farrington also attended. She was staying in her grandmother’s house where Farrington resided.

He came into the room, pulled down her underwear and performed oral sex on her as the victim lay there crying. When he stopped he said sorry and said: “I must have been sleepwalking.” The next day he begged her not to tell anyone.

In 1998 another niece was babysitting her cousins in Farrington’s house. The next morning he called the 18-year-old into his bed, asking for “a cuddle” and began to touch her genitals.

In 2008 both women got a letter from Farrington containing “an apology of sorts” but not admitting guilt. One of the women’s parents found the letter and contacted the gardaí.

Farrington made full admissions on arrest.

Counsel said he was drinking heavily at the time and was at a low risk of re-offending.