Man who sexually abused daughter jailed for seven years

A Limerick man who sexually abused his daughter while she was aged between 13 and 16 has been jailed for seven years.

Pat Healy (66) of Norwood Park, Garryowen, Limerick, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to indecently assaulting his daughter at their family home on dates between 1981 and 1984. He has no previous convictions.

The now 46-year-old woman waived her right to anonymity so her father could be named.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said this offence fell into a high category in terms of seriousness and breach of trust. He noted the abuse had had long-term effects on the victim and that her father now accepted moral responsibility for the offences. He imposed seven years’ imprisonment.

Det Garda Brian O’Connor told senior counsel Paul Greene, prosecuting, the victim and her brother had remained in their father’s care after their parents separated when she was aged two. The woman said she first recalled being abused when she was 12. She left home at 16 years old and later ended up in care.

She made a complaint to gardaí in 2013 and Healy was arrested in February 2014.