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The two brothers were sentenced at the Criminal Courts of Justice, Dublin (Image: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin)
Two brothers have been imprisoned for the sexual abuse of their niece during her childhood. James Joseph Jordan, 59, and Patrick Fintan Jordan, 55, initiated the abuse of their niece, Sabrina Fox, when she was just nine years old. Ms Fox has relinquished her right to anonymity so that her uncles can be publicly identified.
In the Central Criminal Court, Ms Fox stated that the brothers had ruined her childhood and exhibited no remorse for their actions. She described how her uncles had intimidated her at every turn, telling her she would not be believed. Ms Fox acknowledged that coming forward had taken a significant toll on all aspects of her life, but expressed hope that with the truth now revealed, some healing could commence.
James Joseph Jordan, 59, of St Kierans, School Road, Erill Co Laois, Ireland, admitted to charges of rape and indecent assault occurring between 1986 and 1991. He was aged between 21 and 25 years old at the time, reports the Irish Mirror. Patrick Fintan Jordan, 55, of Clohessy Place, Bouladuff, Thurles, Co Tipperary also pleaded guilty to rape and indecent assault, on dates between 1986 and 1991. He was aged between 16 and 21 at the time.
The offences took place at Ms Fox's family home in Borris-in-Ossory, Co Laois and began when she was between eight and nine years old. The sexual abuse by the two men continued until Ms Fox was 13 years old. The abuse commenced with both men raping her on the same night while they were supposed to be looking after her.
She remembered the sexual abuse as being "constant" over the subsequent years, with the men seizing any chance to isolate her. After the abuse ended, she confided in her mother, who advised her to try and forget it. The men continued to appear at family gatherings.
In her victim impact statement, Ms Fox detailed how the abuse had left her feeling sullied and ashamed. She recounted how the men had painted her as a liar and manipulated those around her, leaving her utterly alone with no one to turn to and no one heeding her pleas for help.
She explained how her health and life had been, and continue to be, impacted by the abuse. She informed the court that she would never forgive them for what they had stolen from her.
Delivering the sentence on Thursday, Mr Justice David Keane described this as a "sequence of frequent and persistent rape offences" over a span of five years by the men, who were in positions of trust as the victim's uncles and babysitters.
He noted it was also aggravating that Ms Fox was "particularly vulnerable" due to her age at the time and acknowledged the enduring effects of the offending on her.
Mr Justice Keane imposed a sentence of nine and half years on both men, to reflect their collective offending. He suspended the final year under strict conditions and imposed a three-year post-release supervision order.
The judge described the victim impact statement as a "powerful" document, highlighting the profound effect on Ms Fox. He expressed his distress over "her misplaced feelings of guilt and shame", emphasising that the guilt and shame "lies squarely" with the two defendants.
He commended the injured party for her "admirable qualities" of bravery and determination in coming forward, wishing her well in her ongoing recovery.
The judge acknowledged the men's respective ages at the time of their offences, assuring that this had been considered by the court. He also took into account mitigating factors such as their guilty pleas, the contents of probation and psychological reports, and their individual health issues.
Mr Justice Keane pointed out that both men were at high risk of suicidal ideation and requested defence counsel to relay this information to the Irish Prison Service.
Further instances of rape and sexual assault by her uncles were recounted by the woman. She also spoke of the threats made by the men to ensure her silence.
One of the men warned her: "Your mammy won't believe you, she will believe me."
She described living in constant fear, never fully asleep, always anticipating the next horrific event.
Another threat from one of the accused was: "You better not have told your mother, I am the boss."
The court heard that the men regularly indecently assaulted the victim. Graphic details of ongoing rapes of the young girl, both at her home and nearby locations, were also shared.
She recalled a confrontation between her father and the men at one point. In her perception, her mother was irritated with her.
She felt safe for about six months until the men returned when her father left the house for work.
She chillingly recounted how James Joseph Jordan once told her, "If you let me do it to you, I won't do it to your younger sister."
The woman detailed how the abuse became a constant nightmare, happening up to five days a week as the men seized any chance to isolate her. The horrific ordeal continued until 1991.
After 1991, she confided in her mother about the abuse, only to be advised to try and forget about it. Despite everything, the men remained part of family gatherings that the victim was obliged to attend.
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The younger man was apprehended and questioned in 2024. He admitted to heavy drinking in his early life and accepted that the woman was telling the truth.
The older man was also interrogated and, while he claimed not to remember the events, he conceded that they occurred as the victim described.
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