A 35-year-old man who raped an 85-year-old woman in her home last summer has been sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Simon McGinley of Latlorcan Court, Monaghan, previously served six years in prison for raping a 13-year-old girl at the centre of the 'C' case.
The girl was babysitting his three children 12 years ago.
Mr Justice George Birmingham said that this case was just about as bad as it gets when you consider the age and frailty of the victim.
Justice Birmingham said it is hard to come to terms with the fact that the same person was capable of raping a 13-year-old girl and an 85-year-old woman.
He said McGinley was treated leniently by the courts for the rape of the child and the structure of the sentence then was designed to offer some light at the end.
By his activity, however, the judge said he had chosen to spurn the opportunity made available to him.
The judge said if McGinley cannot address his drink problem, everyone from very young girls to very old ladies is at risk.
McGinley was sentenced to 21 years in prison, but with remission he will serve less than 16 years and he will be released when he is 50.
Daughter tells of mother's loss of joy
In a victim impact statement, the woman's daughter told the court this morning that her mother had been a courageous and resourceful woman who was active in fundraising for charity, had great faith and her greatest pleasure was gardening.
She lived alone, was independent, was able to drive and ran her own home.
However, all that capability was swept away after the rape.
She now cannot function alone, her security has been shattered, and fear is never far away, the woman's daughter said.
She is no longer interested in meeting friends, going to mass, travel or gardening.
The most heart-breaking thing, her daughter said, was the loss of joy from her mother's life.
