Woman who was sexually assaulted by her uncle 'hundreds' of times awarded €170k

Woman claimed her uncle carried out frequent acts of indecent assault at her grandfather’s home when she was between the ages of five and 15 in the 1970s and '80s

The woman’s evidence was that acts of sexual assault happened probably hundreds of times, estimated at twice per week, such that it became a part of her life that she thought was normal, the judge said.

A High Court judge has awarded €170,000 in damages to a woman for the suffering she experienced as a result of being indecently assaulted “hundreds” of times as a child by her uncle.

In a ruling, Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty said the effects of the abuse have been “very serious” for the woman, who felt she lost her childhood and continues to suffer significant psychological effects.