Sentencing of man who sexually abused his two nieces when they were young children is adjourned

The abuse occurred from when one victim was aged from eight to 11 or 12, and to her sister when she was aged four

The judge remanded the accused man in custody for sentencing on January 23, 2026. Picture: Larry Cummins

Sentencing of a man who sexually abused his two nieces — repeatedly assaulting one of them sexually for three to four years from when she was aged eight — was adjourned on Thursday until January 23.

Considerable difficulties in having a psychiatric report completed on the accused man before sentencing have finally been overcome, it was indicated by defence solicitor Shane Collins-Daly to Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.

On that basis, the judge remanded the accused man in custody for sentencing on January 23, 2026.

Detective Garda Tom Delaney testified at an earlier hearing the injured party was at school in September 2022 when a pop song was played as part of one of the classes. The song reminded the teenager of years of sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her uncle in the family home. 

She became very upset, and as she was being comforted by a teacher, she revealed for the first time that the abuse had occurred.

The school alerted the child’s mother and ultimately the defendant was approached about the allegations and he admitted the sexual abuse and was subsequently removed from the family home.

On investigation with specialist interviewers, it was established the abuse occurred from when the victim was aged from eight to 11 or 12. And it later emerged her sister was also abused and there was one charge related to her when she was aged four.

He was aged from 21 to 26 when the abuse was carried out and he pleaded guilty to 10 charges in relation to one niece and one count in relation to the four-year-old girl.

The abuse was described as using his fingers to interfere with the vagina of his niece numerous times but also putting his penis into her vagina, and similarly with the four-year-old girl. 

Prosecution senior counsel Jane Hyland said while all 11 counts were of sexual assault, and none of rape, the defence had accepted the full facts of the case would be outlined and this included the description of rape of both children, albeit without any rape charge or admission.

One young woman described at a hearing two months ago how her life had been reduced to sadness, fear and pain because of the sexual abuse her uncle carried out on her from when she was aged eight.

Her younger sister, who was also abused, said she could not cope with “quietness” at home as it reminded her of the abuse and she had to pace the floor and turn on music to avoid the silence.

The victim of the 10 counts testified: “I am living in fear all the time. I am scared to be around people. Sometimes when I get flashbacks. I feel I am always looking over my shoulder, I burst into tears and I am so afraid to go anywhere. Fear and memories of the abuse is holding me back from living my life.” 

Her sister said: “I was afraid of him all the time after that. I was having flashbacks and my mind and my heart hurts because of what happened to me.” 

Tom Creed, senior counsel, said the accused was full of remorse and had written a letter of apology to his two nieces. Mr Creed said the defendant, who is now aged 34, was admitted to a psychiatric hospital when the complaint was first made.

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