Naughton appeals against conviction for rape of daughter

An appeal by a Connemara man against his conviction for raping and abusing his daughter will be heard by the Court of Criminal Appeal on Monday.

Patrick Naughton (aged 52), of Cinn Mhara, Camus, Co Galway, was sentenced in April 2002 to 11 years in prison for raping and abusing his daughter Barbara.

He was convicted on 18 sample charges ranging over a period of six years from 1987 when she was nine years old.

It was also ordered that his name be put on the register of sex offenders and that he remain under supervision for 12 years after his release. Following the verdict, Barbara Naughton waived her right to anonymity.

Today at the Court of Criminal Appeal Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns directed that the appeal go ahead before the three judge CCA on Monday.

The judge also directed that all relevant material and documents be furnished by the prosecution to Mr Naughton's legal team.

The judge made the direction after Counsel for Naughton Giolliosa Ó Lideadha SC said his client was seeking certain documentation that form an important part of the appeal.

The documentation being sought relate to communications between the Health Board, the prosecution's solicitor and the gardaí involved in the case.

Counsel argued it was vital that this material be produced prior to the appeal being heard, because had it been included it would "have changed the course of the trial".

Pauline Walley SC for the DPP said that the documentation being sought was "innocuous" and "absolutely not prejudicial" to Naughton. Counsel also said that the DPP was opposed to the appeal being adjourned.

The case attracted national headlines in 2002 when it emerged that someone representing former government minister and progressive Democrats founder Bobby Molloy had tried to communicate with the judge in the case, now retired Mr Justice Philip O'Sullivan.

It emerged that someone representing Mr Molloy had been in touch with the judge, seeking to phone him in his chambers, in order to clarify whether he had received a number of letters from Naughton's sister, Anne.

When passing sentence, Mr Justice O'Sullivan said it had been "quite improper'' that any such approach should have been made. The Galway West TD resigned as a junior minister the following day.

Mr Molloy, who had been a TD for 37 years, said there was nothing sinister or dishonest in his actions.