Ex-brother to appeal assault sentence

Vincent Downey was given leave to appeal his sentence

By Louise Hogan
Wednesday November 28 2007

A former religious brother in a retreat centre near Monaghan town was yesterday given leave to appeal a three-year sentence.

Vincent Downey (81), formerly known as Br Bernard, with an address at Brownshill, Stryde, Gloucestershire, in the UK, had pleaded guilty to four charges of indecent assault against two sisters from Monaghan.

The two women cannot be named for legal reasons.

Mr Downey had faced eight charges of indecent assault before his guilty plea.

Yesterday, counsel for Mr Downey sought leave to appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against the three-year sentence imposed on the accused. He said they were seeking leave to appeal on the basis it was "excessive".

The four counts against Mr Downey ranged from 1977 to 1981, and began when the girls were aged around eight and nine-years.

The judge granted leave of appeal to ask whether or not there was an error in principle in reference to a judicial review.

- Louise Hogan