Man jailed for eight years for abusing girl

A seriously ill man who sexually abused a girl and threatened to kill her mother if she told anyone has been sentenced to eight years' imprisonment.

The 55-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, began abusing the child shortly after he moved in with her mother.

He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of sexual assault in the Dublin home between 2002 and 2003.

Another five counts of sexual assault were taken into consideration.

Judge Patrica Ryan said she had to “mark the seriousness of the offence” but noted the man’s medical conditions and his remorse.

She suspended the final two years of the term on strict conditions.