We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Updated 12.05pm
CONVICTED RAPIST PATRICK O’Brien will spend another seven years in prison following a new sentence hearing in the Court of Appeal today.
The 74-year-old from Oldcourt in Bray, Wicklow was found guilty of repeatedly raping his daughter Fiona Doyle between 1973 and 1982 in 2013.
His original sentence of 12 years with nine suspended was found to be unduly lenient last month.
Today the judge handed down a new sentence of 12 years – with just three suspended.
O’Brien has already spent two years in prison and was due for release later in 2015. That date will now be pushed out to 2022.
Speaking outside the court, his daughter Fiona Doyle told TheJournal.ie:
I’m not a victim anymore, I’m now a survivor and that makes all the difference.
She also said justice has finally been served. “It has been a long road and it has been hard – it has had its ups and downs but we got through it.
“My face is so different to two years ago, this is two years of counselling and sorting my head out and getting on the right path. I’m delighted.”
O’Brien raped and sexually abused his daughter Fiona Doyle at Mackintosh Park, Pottery Road in Dun Laoghaire. The abuse began the night before her First Holy Communion in 1973.
This morning Patrick O’Brien’s legal team stated that the plea of guilty is extremely important in cases of sexual abuse and particularly in cases of historic sexual abuse.
It must attract generous mitigation or there will be no incentive for other offenders to enter a plea.
“Victims can often be abused as children and disbelieved as adults – a plea of guilty removes one of those wrongs.”
Last month Mr Justice Sean Ryan said although old age and ill health can be taken as mitigating factors, there is no rule that prevents the sickly from being sent to prison.
He also said that in this case, O’Brien would be treated as well in prison as he is in the community.
He will now remain behind bars for the next seven years – to be released aged 81.
With reporting by Sinéad O’Carroll
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Have to admire that woman for the bravery she’s shown, unbelievable! Inspirational for other victims/survivors too! Finally we see a half decent sentence being handed down, hope this sets a precedent for similar cases in the future. Harsher sentences all around.
Courageous woman indeed. Not only did she had to fight her own father but also the legislature to get any semblance of a ‘fair’ sentence. The vile excuse for a human being who is her biological father should never see the outside of a prison again. There’s alot to be said for chemical castration and the handing down of whole life sentences to sexually offender family members, which for me embodies the gravest of betrayals. There should also be an immediate review of the sentencing system because far too often we see sentences altered on appeal.
Fair play to her. The hardest part must have been facing her family knowing her mother took her fathers side in the ultimate betrayal. If only everyone could be as strong as her. I hope she really enjoys the rest of her life
She is a great person to have survived all of this.. The abuse by her father, the neglect by her mother, the courtcase etc its a lot to deal with.. What a pair of monsters she had as parents.. It unbelievable when you think about it
I hope she has a happy ever after. You couldnt but love her. She deserves the best.. Xx
I hope Patrick suffers greatly!
Suffers greatly is still not enough in my opinion but I am sure I am like you, I can’t find the words harsh enough for that beast, when I read about it I am sick to the pit of my stomach and it feel my heart getting heavy,
For the life of me I don’t understand or will never understand how anyone can do this to anyone and then what’s even worse if I can put it that way a father doing thicko his daughter, I have 3 beautiful princess and they trust me with there lives, and I am there to protect them at all costs not betray them or harm them. As a father I just don’t get it, I can’t even imagine how that brave young lady feels. SHE is one amazing lady to get through all this and I hope the rest of the life is free of pain in some way now, as for that animal rot in hell
Well said Mick.
well done fiona have a good life
I welcome the increase in sentence.
Not a nice man
Still not long enough a sentence for him. He took away his daughter’s childhood and innocence. Yes she is a survivor but at a terrible cost.! I hope he never sees the light of day again
Whilst I am glad that this verdict gives heart and encouragement to Ms. Fiona Doyle, it does not detract in any way from the leniency of the original sentence, which seems to be par for the course for rape. In any developed society the idea that a man might only face a sentence of twelve years for raping his little daughter on a weekly basis for ten years would be totally repugnant. The fact that it has long been a national sport in this country should be neither here nor there. A sentence of life without possibility of parole would go some way towards acknowledging the depth and depravity of such crimes.
Under the words “brave” and “remarkable” in the dictionary should be a picture of Fiona Doyle.
Brave lady,deserves all the hapiness in the world, he should be put down
I’d like to know what the judge who handed down the original sentence has to say about this. Will there be any sort consequence for him considering his sentencing was shown to be grossly unjust and downright incorrect?
Very Brave Woman I wish her all the very best of Health and Happiness she deserves it
Well fu.k the much loss about him
I hope she can move on and put this behind her & I hope he rots in jail
Mrs Doyle, you are a brave lady and I wish you all the best. The world needs more brave people like you to come forward.
A brave, brilliant woman and an inspiration to anyone fighting for justice. I wish her contentment and happiness for the rest of her life.
What a vile man.
have your say