'The innocence of childhood was stripped from me' - victim speaks out against abusive brother

A man from County Donegal has been sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Central Criminal Court following his guilty plea to sexual assault charges. The defendant, now aged 41, pleaded guilty in October to four sample counts of sexual assault occurring within the family home between 2003 and 2005, when the victim was aged between 10 and 13 years and he was aged between 19 and 21. Justice Karen O'Connor noted the offending was premeditated and characterised by a significant breach of trust. The judge highlighted aggravating factors including the age disparity, the victim's isolation following disclosure, and the fractured family relationships that resulted. The victim delivered a statement to the court describing the lasting psychological impact and the loss of her childhood innocence. Justice O'Connor commended the victim's courage and voice. The defendant has no previous convictions. The sentence was backdated to his entry into custody.