A Tipperary man who was described as “an animal” by one of his victims has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the rape and sexual abuse of three children.
The victims were three members of his extended family and were aged between seven and 11 years old. The abuse took place over a 35-year period.
Séamus O’Neill (66), Newcastle, Ballynamona, pleaded guilty to rape, indecent assault and sexual assault of the children between 1965 and 2000.
All three victims waived their right to anonymity so O’Neill could be named.
Mr Justice Paul Carney listed eight aggravating factors including the age of the victims and the difference in age between O’Neill and the victims, the breach of trust and the number of victims and offences.
He imposed a sentence of 12 years for the rape of a female relative that occurred between 1965 and 1966 when the victim was between eight and 10 years old.
He suspended six years of this sentence after noting O’Neill’s guilty plea, his lack of previous convictions and his full admissions. He ordered O’Neill to enter into a bond of €1,000 and to stay away from the victims. Mr Justice Carney imposed a six-year prison sentence for the indecent assault of an 11-year-old nephew in 1984.
He also imposed a sentence of four years for the sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl in 2000.