Rapist appeals against life sentence

A man who was jailed for life for raping four of his daughters has argued on appeal that victim support should not become the “dynamic factor” in the imposition of life sentences.

Submissions were heard yesterday morning in an appeal against sentence brought by the now 52-year-old man, who must wait until the new year to find out if the appeal has been successful.

In Dec 2011 the man, who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of the victims, was jailed for life by Mr Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Castlebar, Co Mayo.

He had pleaded guilty after arraignment to sample counts of rape and child cruelty against four of his daughters over an 18-year period from Jan 1991 to Dec 2009. The man is appealing against his sentence on the rape counts only.

Counsel for the applicant, Hugh Hartnett SC, told the court that in imposing sentence, Mr Justice Carney had remarked that a life sentence was not only warranted but was the only mechanism available to give the victims the reassurance they needed. He submitted it was very clear that this was the driving force behind Mr Justice Carney’s decision to impose a life sentence.

Mr Justice Frank Clarke, presiding at the Court of Criminal Appeal, said the court reserved judgment.