14 years for rape and sex assault of stepdaughter

A Laois man who raped and sexually assaulted his stepdaughter over an eight-year period has received a 14-year prison sentence.

Noel Maher, aged 42, began assaulting Amy Kenna in August 2001, when she was 10, and began raping her when she was aged 13.

In July, a jury found Maher guilty of three counts of sexually assaulting Ms Kenna between August 2001 and August 2007 at different locations in Co Laois. Maher, formerly of Barrow Way, Spa St, Portarlington, was also convicted of 34 counts of raping her between August 2005 to November 2009 at locations in Co Laois.

Justice Garrett Sheehan said the appropriate term was 14 years and, noting the absence of any expression of remorse, said he found no mitigating circumstances for Maher. He suspended the last two years of the sentence in order to encourage Maher to rehabilitate.

Sgt Adrian McQueeney told prosecuting counsel Conor Devally SC that in November 2009 gardaí were called to the home address where a row between Maher and Ms Kenna was taking place.

Ms Kenna, who was 18 at the time, told gardaí she had been raped and sexually assaulted by her stepfather.

She told gardaí she recalled Maher threatening that if she told anyone about the assaults he would kill her and harm her siblings.

The abuse continued until August 2009, when her mother realised something was happening. The man continued to rape Ms Kenna for a further three months before gardaí were called to the house.