A father who sexually abused his daughter from the age of six to 12 has been jailed for three years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The 41 year old man pleaded guilty to two representative counts of indecently assaulting the girl, now 17, in Dublin. Ms Una Ni Raifeartaigh, prosecuting, said the abuse took place from 1986 to 1991.
The victim's mother was 15 when she gave birth to the girl and later she had a boy by the defendant.
Some time later their relationship broke up but he continued to play an active role in his children's life. The abuse took place in the victim's bedroom, a garda said.
Judge Joseph Mathews said the defendant had almost destroyed his daughter and while he pleaded guilty he did not seem to have any insight into the dreadful thing he did. He wanted to ignore it and did not accept he had a problem which needed treatment.
"He has robbed her of her childhood, of what every little girl growing up is entitled to. Her hurt is huge and ongoing due to the actions of her uncaring father," said Judge Mathews.