Woman says that uncle stole her innocence during seven years of sexual abuse
She said to her abuser, 'You stole my innocence. I can never forgive that.'
Last October the defendant was found guilty by a jury of nine counts of sexual assault which occurred between 2009 and 2017. He has been in custody since awaiting sentence.
The man who used babysit the victim and her siblings at their grandmother's house where he lived is now aged 30. He is eight years his niece's senior.
What occurred came to light in April 2017 when the woman told her mother about what her mum's brother had done to her.
She said it caused a rift in the family which added to her suffering. Some family members stopped talking to her and called her a liar.
All but one of the nine incidents in question occurred at her grandmother's house. The other was in the victim's own home.
On one occasion he attacked her while she lay on her gran's bed drawing, while on another she had gone to the house after leaving school early because she was ill.
The last assault occurred on March 16, 2017, when the teenager was trying on outfits for a St Patrick's Day Parade.
She told her mother the following month and they went around to her grandmother's house to confront him. His reaction was that he couldn't remember.
The next morning they went to the garda station. A specialist interview was set up.
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The accused was arrested by arrangement on July 11, 2018. He denied any abuse. He was released and later charged.
There were no previous convictions.
Reading from her Victim Impact Statement, the woman said that she couldn't sleep and suffered with anxiety and male intimacy issues. It took her five years to realise what he did was wrong. She no longer liked to go out on her own.
An uncle who should have been there to protect to her, did 'vile and disgusting' things. It would affect her for the rest of her life. She didn't get to see her gran for four years.
The defence requested time to get a medical report on the accused who is suffering from cancer, and asked for an updated probation report.
Judge Dara Hayes adjourned sentencing to June 30, remanding the defendant in custody.
He noted a mixed probation report and 'with some reluctance' asked for an updated report.
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