Cork court told therapist couldn't see abused girl, 4, as notes could be 'used against her' 

The parents of a four-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted by her elderly grandfather spoke out on Wednesday about how the controversial issue of a therapist’s notes being disclosed to the defence had impacted their child.

The child’s 78-year-old grandfather was remanded in custody on Wednesday for Judge Helen Boyle to consider the evidence in advance of sentencing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Sergeant Sheena Dowling outlined how the child’s grandfather sexually assaulted the four-year-old five times in early 2022 when he was reading bedtime stories to her. 

The child disclosed to her mother what the accused was doing to her. After an initial denial, the defendant ultimately admitted to the family what he had done when challenged by the child’s parents.

During the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, the child’s father gave a victim impact statement on behalf of his daughter and himself and his wife. He said there was not a day since this emerged four years ago that he has not felt anger about what the accused had done to their infant child.

“He groomed, used toys as weapons, threatened, tortured and abused a toddler, yet had unlimited access to any physical or mental medical care he needed. His innocent victim has not been as fortunate. Our baby was too young to get the help of a counsellor or psychologist.

“Play Therapy was recommended by our GP to help her make some sense of the life-changing trauma he callously inflicted on her. We sat as parents in front of a Play Therapist who told us she couldn't see (daughter’s name) as a child's notes could be available to her abuser's legal counsel and in her words could be 'used against her'.

“The therapist agreed to get a second opinion from her colleague and the result was the same — no help for our traumatised child. In what world is it fair where all the help and support is for the paedophile abuser?” the child’s father asked.

He also said: “No words will capture the devastation the horrific abuse has had, and continues to have, on our beautiful daughter who carries a burden that no child should. He should have been her protector to keep her safe. 

"Her grandfather, 70 years her senior, inflicted anguish, confusion, fear, trauma, shame and anxiety on our four-year-old toddler. He was bullying, coercive and threatening to ensure his sadistic secrets would be kept.

“He warned her not to say anything. Looking back, she was always on alert. 

"Every night in bed since she started preschool at three years old, she would ask us who was collecting her from preschool. 

"She was checking every night if she would be in danger from her abuser the next day. Once the abuse came out we explained it would always be either me or her Mom collecting her in future and she then stopped asking who would be collecting her.

“Today, at eight years old, she has regular nightmares about the monster who abused her. She is frightened he knows where she lives and will come to get her.

“Despite our best efforts as parents, she has taken on the guilt and shame that should belong to the paedophile who destroyed her innocence and confidence. 

"When she speaks about what she suffered, she covers her face with the bedsheets and regresses to a baby voice, (asking) 'Why did he pick me? Why did he do those things to me? Did he not like me?' 

"She tells (her mother) she wishes she never told his secret because 'It's all my fault why you don't see your dad' and cries floods of tears.

“The degrading and humiliating things he did are still to the forefront of her mind. She still speaks of what he did to her little infant body as she begged him to stop.” 

The devastating repercussions throughout the family were described. The injured child’s parents even moved house and moved their children to new schools so they would not be near the defendant.

Donal O’Sullivan, defence senior counsel, said he understood that the family believed that an apology would be self-serving but that he was instructed to express the apologies and remorse of the 78-year-old, who was never in any trouble in his life and could not explain why he behaved in the way that he did with his grandchild.

Judge Boyle remanded the accused in custody for sentencing on February 16. He cannot be identified as it would identify the child who was sexually assaulted.