A 25-year-old man who blindfolded his five-year-old niece before sexually abusing her, has lost an appeal against his 6 year sentence.

The man, who was 16 at the time of the offences, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to three counts of sexual assault at his Kildare home during 2003.

In March last, the 25 year old man was given a 6 year sentence with 3 years suspended for sexually assaulting his 5 year old niece ten years ago.

"Gravely wrong"

After the offences, the victim went on to exhibit unusual and sometimes worrying behaviour including self harm.

At the age of 11 she decided to make an official complaint over reported concerns that while she was suffering her abuser proceeded with an apparently successful life without being required to answer for his crime.

He appealed against the sentence as being unduly severe because he was 16-years-old at the time of the abuse and that there was a delay in bringing a prosecution against him.

But the court has upheld the sentence finding that, despite his youth, he must bear responsibility for criminal acts which he knew were gravely wrong.