Rape conviction upheld

The Court of Criminal Appeal has dismissed an appeal by a Dublin man against his conviction and life sentence for the rape of his then partner's teenage daughter.

Christopher Griffin (aged 38), Ridgewood Green, Swords, Dublin, formerly of Canon Lillis Avenue, in Dublin's north inner city, is appealing against his conviction of one count of oral rape of the girl (then in her teens )in 1998, one count of rape in 2001 and nine counts of indecently assault on dates from 1993 to 1998.

Griffin had denied all the charges. After being convicted in April 2007, he was sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice Paul Carney. The girl, now in her early twenties, consented to Griffin's name being used by the media.

In his appeal Griffin had argued that his conviction was unsafe and should be quashed on grounds including the non-availability of an important witness.

Today the CCA, with Ms Justice Fidelma Macken presiding, and sitting with Mr Justice Eamonn De Valera and Mr Justice Paul Gilligan, in a lengthy judgment dismissed all grounds of his appeal.

The court said it would hear Griffin's appeal against the severity of his life sentence at a later date.