A father of four has been jailed for 17-and-a-half years for the rape of his daughters over a 15-year period.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victims, appeared at Cork Central Criminal Court today.

He was charged with 128 charges including rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault of his four daughters between 2005 and 2021. 

He pleaded guilty to sample counts from the indictment. 

Today’s sentencing hearing heard all of the victims were children at the time, with one describing the family home as a ‘place of horror’ and another saying ‘nowhere was safe’. 

One of them said she had lived in a constant state of fear. 

The abuse was first reported in 2012; however, the victim retracted her statement due to the "great upset" it had caused in the house and after her father threatened to harm himself.

She convinced her mother she had made the story up and was forced to apologise to her father.  

The court heard the sexual assaults continued against her and her sisters for a further nine years after this.  

The man used threats, blackmail and intimidation, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor said he had been "creeping round the house" and "barking orders". 

She said it was deeply disturbing that the victims had been trying to protect one another, had shared rooms for protection and tried not to be alone with their father, keeping each other updated on his location.    

Feature image: Anglesea Street Courthouse, Cork City. Credit; David Creedon / Alamy Live News