Man who ‘poisoned’ daughter’s youth jailed for abuse

• Published date: 16 April 2024
• Author: ISABEL HAYES
• Publication title: Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland)

Cyril Mullane (51) was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury of 26 counts of sexually abusing Chloe Mullane on dates between June 2011 and September 2016, when the girl was aged between six and 12

Mullane, with an address at Borefield, Strokestown, Co Roscommon, was found guilty of 11 counts of oral rape, 14 counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted rape at his then homes in Co Sligo and in Norfolk, England. He had denied the charges.

Ms Mullane, who waived her right to anonymity so her father could be named, first met the defendant when six when her mother reconnected with him following a brief relationship which resulted in her birth.

The girl then went to visit her father’s home at Rainbow Cottage, Castlebaldwin, Co Sligo and later to his home in Norfolk.

The court heard Mullane started abusing his daughter from the age of six, starting with inappropriate touching and progressing to oral rape. The abuse ended when Ms Mullane threatened to tell her mother about it.

In her victim impact statement, read out at a previous sentence hearing, Ms Mullane said...