Man jailed for sexually assaulting two of his own sisters 'because he could'

A man has been jailed for the “appalling” and repeated sexual abuse of his two sisters over 50 years ago.

The now 70-year-old man, who can't be named to protect the anonymity of his victims, pleaded guilty to one count of rape on a date between 1972 and 1974 and a further 14 counts of indecent assault between 1966 and 1974 at a location in Co. Wicklow.

The two victims are the man's younger sisters and were aged between five and 13 during the period in question.

The court heard that the indecent assaults included inappropriate touching.

The man abused the first victim when she was aged between five and nine years old on dates between 1966 and 1969. He was then a teenager. 

Mr Justice McDermott said the man carried out the abuse because “he could” and because “he got away with it.” He noted the man had taken also steps to ensure secrecy, including locking a door.

In relation to the second victim, the man indecently assaulted this sister between 1969 and 1971, when she was aged between eight and 10. The man also took her to a bedroom and raped her on a date between 1972 and 1974, when she was aged between 11 and 13.

Mr Justice McDermott noted that the man was an adult at the time, aged between 18 and 21.

The judge said this victim's life was “distorted by the abuse” and that she has suffered with depression and anxiety. He also noted that keeping the abuse from her parents caused her difficulties.

Mr Justice McDermott imposed a global nine-year sentence on the man and suspended the final 12 months to encourage his rehabilitation and engagement with relevant services. He further directed the man to have no contact with the two victims.