“We both carry a life sentence because of his actions”: Women sexually abused by two brothers

“We both carry a life sentence because of his actions”: Women sexually abused by two brothers speaks out over” lenient” Sentences

Wednesday 2 April 2025, 13:28 pm

By Darren Donoghue

Two woman who were sexually abused by two of her relatives has called for the sentences to be appealed on the grounds that they were too lenient.

David Hamilton (33) of Woodtown West, Athboy, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to rape, oral rape and sexual assault of the older girl and sexual assault of the younger girl in Meath on dates between 2004 and 2008.

His brother Jonathan (34) with the same address, pleaded guilty to one count of rape and sexual assault of the older girl on one occasion on a date in 2005. Neither of the brothers have any previous convictions.

David Hamiliton was sentenced to seven and half years with the final 12 months suspended today.

He was told that the suspended portion of the sentence would remain in place for life in that if he were to commit another sexual offence he would be jailed for 12 months. The judge said the sentence would only be re-activated should he commit a further sexual offence.

Jonathan Hamilton was sentenced to three years with the final six months suspended. Again, those six months were suspended for life on the same conditions in that it would only be re-activated should he commit a further sexual offence.

One of the victims Sophie told Boyne News “that more needs to be done to protect victims, to provide them with adequate support, and to ensure that the criminals are the only ones who leave feeling worse than when they walked in”.

Sophie said, “In 2008 I disclosed to my older sister that I had been sexually abused by my cousin David Hamilton. My sister and I told our mother together. My mother didn’t believe me. My sister had also been abused by this family member but felt she couldn’t disclose it at the time as my mother didn’t believe me.

“In December 2019, I told my sister about another family member who had sexually abused me. My sister again, spoke to our family and stated that she knew I wasn’t lying because the same thing had happened to her.

“In March 2020 I made a statement to the guards about what had happened to me. I also told them that my sister had experienced this abuse as well. My sister made her statement in March and April 2020 over the course of several days.

“When the two brothers were arrested, they admitted to their guilt. David Hamilton even added to my sisters’ statement about further instances of rape which he recalled.

“My sister remembers his mother, Rosetta Hamilton witness him on top of her, in the middle of the night in his bedroom. She closed the door and walked out.”

Sophie went on to say how she lost family members after she made the statement to An Garda Síochána and she was astonished that one side of her family didn’t believe her despite the Hamilton brothers’ early guilty pleas.

“This family have completely ostracised us. We have no contact with any of our maternal family. We have no contact with our youngest sister. We made numerous complaints to Tusla about our concerns for our sister’s safety as well as the foster children who were still residing with Vincent and Rosetta Hamilton.

“We have carried so much guilt, a burden of trying to protect other innocent children for so long. We have done the best we possibly could to try and make a difference.

“The sentences handed down yesterday we feel are incredibly lenient. Particularly in the case of David Hamilton. He raped my sister and abused me almost daily for over 10 years. He abused me while he was with his current girlfriend who has stood by his side. She used to work in our local crèche.

“We want justice, actual tangible justice. We feel that David has been given an incredibly lenient sentence. We both carry a life sentence because of his actions. We believe that precedents must set and new laws are needed to ensure that this serious and heinous crimes get adequately punished.

“The entire court system and how the victims are treated throughout is severely re traumatising. More needs to be done to protect victims, to provide them with adequate support, and to ensure that the criminals are the only ones who leave feeling worse than when they walked in."

Sophie concluded by saying, “Justice Tony Hunt appeared to be frustrated while handing down the sentence to David in particular. He felt that there was not enough wiggle room within sentencing guidelines for him to give a longer sentence. This is so wrong.”