DAVID BUCKLEY FROM CO CORK SENTENCED TO 3 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON EX-PARTNER'S DAUGHTER IN CO CORK

In a case that has shocked the community in Co Cork, David Buckley, aged 32, of 4 Convent Rd, Doneraile, was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of multiple sexual assaults against his former partner’s young daughter. The crimes took place over a period spanning from December 2009 to March 2011, during which Buckley allegedly committed these heinous acts at his then partner’s residence in another area within Co Cork.

Buckley vehemently denied the allegations, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial. However, a jury deliberated and reached a verdict in November, convicting him on five counts of sexual assault with an 11-1 majority, and an additional count with a 10-2 majority. The jury also acquitted him of a seventh sexual assault charge, as well as charges related to sexual exploitation and an attempt to engage in sexual intercourse with a child under 15.

During the proceedings, the prosecution, led by Imelda Kelly, clarified that the victim was willing to be identified but chose not to be named publicly. The young woman, who was only 12 to 13 years old at the time of the assaults, bravely testified about her traumatic experiences. She recounted that the abuse began when she was 12, with Buckley initiating sexual contact, which continued until she was 14. Her testimony revealed the profound emotional and psychological toll the abuse took on her, describing feelings of loneliness, confusion, depression, and suicidal thoughts. She shared that she had struggled with depression from a young age and had attempted to take her own life on two separate occasions, feeling that her life was not worth living.

The victim also disclosed that Buckley introduced alcohol into their interactions, giving her vodka when she was just 13 years old. She detailed how the abuse escalated over time, starting with French kissing and progressing to touching her on her behind and breasts. The pattern of behavior, as described by the prosecution, indicated a disturbing increase in the severity of the assaults as the years went on.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin, presiding over the case at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, sentenced Buckley to a three-year term of imprisonment. The judge’s decision was based on the gravity of the crimes and the impact on the victim, who demonstrated remarkable courage in coming forward and sharing her story. The case has left a lasting mark on the community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and support for victims of such serious offenses in Co Cork.