Kildare man sentenced to 11 years for abuse of nephew over seven-year period

A Kildare man has been sentenced to 11 years for the sexual abuse and rape of his nephew in the 1980s.

Terrence Hamilton (aged 58) pleaded guilty after being arrested in 2010 when the victim came forward. The court heard his nephew has had a hugely difficult life since the abuse and lived in constant fear as a child.

In a victim impact statement he told the court of the fear and confusion he felt on his wedding day because he had to invite Hamilton to avoid arousing the suspicions of his family.

Mr Justice Paul Carney said that he took into consideration the number of offences, their effect on the victim and the period over which the abuse extended.

He imposed an 11-year term but suspended the final three years in light of Hamilton’s early guilty plea and otherwise clean record. Mr Justice Carney also imposed 18 months post-release supervision and ordered he have no contact with the victim ever again.

Hamilton of Dooley’s Terrace, Athy pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to two counts of rape and five counts of sexual and indecent assault at various locations between 1983 and 1990.

Detective Garda Leon Kenny told prosecuting counsel Paddy McCarthy SC that the abuse started when the boy was seven years old. It began with molestation and masturbation and progressed over the next seven years to rape.

The abuse occurred while working on the bog and on a tractor while there was no one else around. It came to light in May 2010 when the victim came to gardaí. Hamilton was arrested four months later and made full admissions in interview.

He said he had been abused himself as a child but that this wasn’t an excuse. He said he was very sorry and would be pleading guilty.

The victim told the court that when he confronted Hamilton about the abuse and threatened to reveal it, Hamilton replied: “You wouldn’t do that to your granny.”

The victim said he once told his sister he was being abused but was told to “go away and not be silly”.

He said he suffers from flashbacks and sometimes loses all sense of reality. He said it is very hard to live a normal live and that when he is around children he is reminded of his experiences.

The court heard the victim wants to see Hamilton publically named.

Defence counsel John Aylmer SC said Hamilton has lived at home all his life and does not seem to have offended in the 17 years since these instances. He said his client had considered taking his own life but decided it would be better if his victim saw that justice was done.

Counsel added that Hamilton has a good work history and is getting on well in custody.