Uncle jailed for abuse of niece

A retired guesthouse owner has been jailed for 18 months for the sexual molestation of his 11-year-old niece when she visited from the US.

John Prior, aged 68, molested the child on two occasions in 1985 while she was on summer holidays visiting Irish relatives in Leitrim and Dublin.

Prior, of Orchard Lane, Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin, had denied five counts of indecent assault of the victim at Hartley House, Merrion Rd, on dates between July 1 and August 31, 1985.