Defilement left vulnerable teenager ‘in a very dark place’

A West Cork man aged 53 who plunged the life of a girl of 15 into a very dark place through prolonged defilement, leading to sexual intercourse, was yesterday jailed for four years.

Ray O’Driscoll of Ballyhilloe, Leap, Co Cork, was sentenced to seven years’ jail with the last three years suspended, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said the Court of Criminal Appeal wanted judges to rate the seriousness of cases and commented: “I can only say this one is between the ceiling and the roof; you cannot get much higher.”