RICHARD POWER FROM WATERFORD SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT OF YOUNG RELATIVE

In a case that has shocked the community of Waterford, Richard Power, a 40-year-old man residing on Blake's Lane, has been sentenced to nine years in prison following his conviction for serious sexual offenses involving a young female relative. The offences spanned several years, beginning when the victim was just seven years old and continuing until she was 14.

Mr. Justice Paul Carney presided over the case at the Central Criminal Court, where Power pleaded guilty to the charges. The court heard that the defendant committed the crime of rape between April 1994 and April 1995 at an address within Waterford city. In addition to the primary charge, Power admitted to seven sample counts of indecent and sexual assault on the same girl, with these incidents occurring from 1990 through 1996. The indictment contained a total of 28 counts, reflecting the severity and extent of the abuse.

The victim, who has since come forward publicly, expressed her desire for her abuser to be named in media reports concerning the case. Her courage in speaking out highlights the lasting impact of the trauma she endured during her formative years. The court's decision underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are regarded, and the lengthy sentence aims to serve justice for the young girl who suffered at the hands of her relative in Waterford.