Mr Justice Paul Carney suspended nine years of a 12 year sentence imposed on Patrick O'Brien of Old Court Avenue, Bray, Co Wicklow - after describing his crime as 'one of the most serious cases of serial rape of a daughter'. 

He's been granted bail on the basis that his trial was fit for appeal - and the court heard O'Brien is in 'extremely poor health'.

The victim, Fiona Doyle, spoke outside the court yesterday and said that she was devastated by the ruling but vows to fight on.

Rape Crisis Network Ireland says it can't understand the leniency of his sentence. It has warned that a deicison to grant a convicted sex offender bail, pending application for appeal, could discourage rape victims from coming forward. 

Fiona Neary from the Rape Crisis Network Ireland said that she understands why the judge made the move, but says decisions like these can leave the survivor feeling helpless - much like they would have during the original attack.

And Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin says a review is urgently needed:

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