Declan Daly Sentenced to 20 Years for Decades of Abuse

A 54-year-old man, Declan Daly, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults that spanned three decades. The sentencing took place at the Central Criminal Court, where Daly pleaded guilty to 12 counts of sexual assault and indecent assault against three female victims, with incidents dating from 1982 to 2002. Additionally, he was convicted of three counts of rape concerning a fourth victim in 2022.

The prosecuting attorney, Carl Hanahoe SC, informed the court that the women involved wished to maintain their anonymity but did not object to Daly being publicly identified. The abuse perpetrated by Daly came to light after the fourth victim disclosed her experiences, revealing that she had also been sexually assaulted by another man, who has since received a 13-year sentence for his crimes.

During the court proceedings, the impact of the abuse was articulated in victim impact statements read by the women. One victim described Daly as a “monster” and a “sick, sick man,” expressing her relief that the jury saw through his deceit. Another emphasized her desire for closure as she works on rebuilding her life after the trauma.

Mr Justice Patrick McGrath addressed the severity of Daly’s actions, stating that the impact statements from the victims were profoundly moving. He remarked that it was insufficient to simply label their statements as harrowing, given the extent of the suffering they endured. The judge noted that Daly had exploited the last victim in a particularly brutal manner, being fully aware of her previous abuse by another perpetrator.

According to Justice McGrath, the offenses committed against this victim warranted a sentence in the highest category, meriting between 15 years and life imprisonment. Ultimately, he imposed consecutive sentences, resulting in a total of 22 years, with the final two years suspended for five years.

The court heard from various sources that Daly had attempted to silence one victim through threats involving her pets. Defense counsel, Dean Kelly SC, acknowledged the gravity of Daly’s actions but also highlighted his client’s acceptance of the jury’s verdicts. Kelly expressed his client’s remorse, although he acknowledged that an apology may offer little solace to the victims. He also pointed out that some of the offenses occurred during Daly’s teenage years and noted his limited previous convictions, primarily for road traffic offenses.

Daly’s case has drawn attention not just for the severity of the crimes but also for the courage exhibited by the victims in coming forward to reveal their stories. As they strive to heal and move forward, their testimonies serve as a reminder of the long-lasting effects of abuse and the importance of seeking justice.