€2.8m in damages for four years of rape and abuse

A woman who was raped and sexually abused by her godfather over a four-year period, starting when she was only 12, has been awarded €2.8m damages by a High Court jury.

Marcella Breslin, aged 31, of Emerald Drive, Killybegs, Co Donegal, had sued Patrick Gillespie, aged 54, her godfather and uncle-in-law, of Carrrickmagrath, Ballbofey, Co Donegal, as a result of the sexual abuse. Gillespie was in 2008 jailed for 10 years, with three suspended, after being convicted of the rape and sexual assault of Ms Breslin.

After deliberating for two hours yesterday, the jury awarded €1.2m in aggravated damages, €1m in exemplary damages, and €600,000 in general damages.