A woman who was abused by her cousin growing up has said she is “infuriated” by the “leniency of the sentences” he and his brother were given. 

Sophie Brady was sexually abused by her cousin, David Hamilton of Woodtown West, Athboy, County Meath, from the age of seven. 

Hamilton and his older brother, Jonathan Hamilton of the same address, were also convicted of raping Ms Brady’s older sister. 

Last week, a judge handed David Hamilton a seven-and-a-half year sentence, with the final six months suspended. 

Jonathan Hamilton was sentenced to three-years, with the final six months suspended. 

Both were in their teens at the time of the abuse and judges are obliged by law to impose lower sentences on people who were children when they committed their crimes. 

On Lunchtime Live, Ms Brady explained why she feels let down by the justice system. 

“Our childhood was horrific, to be personal honest; we have nothing but bad memories,” she said. 

“I know that my sister would say that from the time she was three, her memories are nothing but abuse and trauma. 

“I thought it was extremely funny that in court my cousin quoted that his childhood was nothing but idyllic.” 

The families grew up close to each other in County Meath and, for a period of time, they even lived together. 

It meant, Ms Brady said, that her earliest memories are “all bad”. 

“Up until Monday [last week], there was no accountability,” she said. 

“Yes, there was a guilty plea but he’s certainly not sorry. 

“He smirked as I read my victim impact statement on the stand.” 

Sophie Brady. Image: Supplied.

The abuse started when she was just seven-years-old. 

Ms Brady spent a lot of time in her cousins’ bedrooms and they were left unsupervised by their family. 

“We were always left to our own devices,” she said. 

“I remember being on David’s lap; he asked me to sit on his lap, he asked me to be in his bed. 

“I remember feeling like it was wrong; with the innocence of it all, I just didn’t know what part of it was wrong.

“I didn’t understand for a long time why out of all our female immigrants it was just me either. 

“I wasn’t aware of my sister’s abuse.” 

Sophie Brady. Image: Supplied.

It was only in 2008 that Ms Brady disclosed to her sister what was happening. 

“She insisted and encouraged me to speak to our mother about it,” she said. 

“I did make her aware and at this point, I was about 10. 

“So, I had three-years of abuse. 

“My sister obviously also had been abused by this family member but because my mother had immediately not believed me, it was like a test, I guess. 

“My sister was like, ‘Well look, she’s not believed one of us, she’s not going to believe the other.’”  

Reporting the abuse

In December 2019, the pair decided they had to speak out but family members reacted with disbelief. 

It was at this point that Ms Brady decided to move out of the family. 

“It was only then when I had moved away from that area that I found the strength and the courage to make a statement to the Guards,” she said. 

“It was in doing that that it kind of came [out] the level and the extent of the abuse that my sister had suffered as well. 

“So, she made statements then.” 

That first statement was taken in March 2020 - just over five-years ago. 

“What infuriates me is the leniency of the sentences,” she said. 

“If they had gone to court much quicker in 2020, maybe 2021 and they were given the same sentences back then that they were given now; now in 2025, they would both be out with the sentences that have been handed down.” 

It all means that within a few years the Hamilton brothers will once again be free to walk the streets. 

“Realistically, I need to be real with myself and prepare myself for the fact that David Hamilton will probably be back around here, living in the same small town as me within the next three or four-years,” she said. 

If you have been impacted by sexual violence, you can contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre's 24 hour helpline on 1800 77 8888.

Main image: Sophie Brady. Image: Supplied.