Former Kildare firefighter jailed for rape of daughter

A former Kildare firefighter has been jailed for the “repugnant” rape of his daughter, whom he met for the first time when she was a teenager, in what a judge described as an “egregious breach of trust”.

Garreth Bannon (50) of Gurteeneona, Monasterevin, Co Kildare was handed a seven year sentence with the final 12 months suspended at the Central Criminal Court on Friday after pleading guilty to rape on an unknown date between January 2015 and September 2015.

The victim wished for Mr Bannon to be identified, but does not want to be named herself.

The Central Criminal Court previously heard that the victim is Mr Bannon's biological daughter, and that they initially met when she was in her mid-teens. She now lives abroad.

Evidence was previously heard that Mr Bannon raped the victim after she had met him in a pub where he bought her drinks. She was 18 at this time and said she never had to ask for a drink and there would be another one waiting for her. She sent a Snapchat to her friend saying she was “really, really drunk”.

Imposing sentence, Mr Justice Tony Hunt described it as a “repugnant feature” of the case that Mr Bannon's “own flesh and blood (was) abused in a massive breach of trust”.

He said this “egregious breach of trust” was a significant aggravating factor.

The judge said it was also aggravating that the victim was given drink, which “inhibited her capacity to deal with the situation”.

Setting a headline sentence of eight and a half years, Mr Justice Hunt noted Mr Bannon's guilty plea and expressions of remorse as mitigation.

While reference was made in court that the defendant was a firefighter, he is not a serving member of Kildare fire services and has not been one since early 2022.

The judge noted that while a defendant's previous good character and employment carry some weight, it is “not much” in cases such as this, while a guilty plea had value because it spared a victim giving evidence during a trial.

“Anticipation of a trial does weigh heavily on people. They are rightly concerned about the intrusive nature of process,” the judge said, adding that while it is not be possible to “totally eliminate” these features of the criminal process, those involved can try to minimise its impact.

Mr Justice Hunt said a guilty plea is also an acknowledgement that the victim is truthful and did nothing wrong.

In a victim impact statement previously read to the court, the woman said the abuse had a “profound and lasting impact” on her life, with the trauma leaving her feeling “broken and confused”.

She said the abuse “shattered my sense of security” and made it harder for her to connect with others, resulting in trust issues and isolation.

She said she struggled with guilt, shame, chronic anxiety and PTSD. She added that she has come to realise that “none of this was my fault” and is now working hard to heal.

In his sentencing comments, Mr Justice Hunt noted the woman referred to feeling guilt and shame, which he said was natural and understandable in the circumstances of the case.

He said that it is “easy for an outsider to say obviously it’s not your fault”, adding that he is aware many victims “blame themselves”, but “they shouldn't”.

He said none of it was the woman's fault, that Mr Bannon had acknowledged his guilt and the victim was a “young girl who should have been protected”.

“In no way should her sense of self or self-worth be affected” by what happened, the judge continued. “It was nothing to do with her”.

“She was the victim and had no responsibility” for Mr Bannon's actions.

“Hopefully with time, she will be able to stand back and say 'nothing to do with me, I'm not going to let it affect me and I'm going to try to reclaim myself in full.'” The judge said no sentence the court could impose could turn back the clock, but was instead “a mark that the conduct is shameful, repulsive and as such that there must be deprivation of liberty for a period”.

Mr Justice Hunt wished the woman well for the future, and expressed the court's hope she would find peace.

After imposing a seven-year sentence, the judge said he would suspend the final 12 months for five years on strict conditions including that Mr Bannon have no contact with the victim for life without her express consent. He also directed Bannon to place himself under the supervision of the Probation Services for two years post-release.

An investigating garda previously told Paul Murray SC, prosecuting, that the woman was working abroad when she first disclosed what had happened.

She then texted the man and asked: “Why did you do it to me?” He replied: “I don’t know why”, followed by a sad emoji.

“I really only wanted to be your dad … I’m a sick man … I’m going to lose everything now… I’d go back and put it all right if I could.” Mr Bannon denied the allegations when interviewed by gardaí but later pleaded guilty shortly in advance of trial date.

Under cross-examination, the garda agreed that Mr Bannon had a good work history as a butcher and later as a fireman from which he suffered PTSD.

Michael Hourigan SC, defending, asked the court to take into account his client's expressions of shame and remorse.

He noted the contents of the probation report and acknowledged its assessment that Bannon is at low risk of re-offending, but must undertake offence-focused work.

Mr Bannon is married with one son, but is now estranged from his wife.

Mr Hourigan outlined to the court that his client was under stress at time of his offending as he had built up debts and due to difficulties in his marriage. A psychological report was also handed to the court.