A Clare man has been sentenced to 13 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to abusing a young girl over a three-year period..
The abuse was carried out by the 25-year-old Clare man between 2009 and 2012, and began when the man moved in with the victim's mother.
His actions were only uncovered when the victim's younger brother, who was aged 5, told their aunt about it.
The court heard how the girl, who is now 12, is now "extremely traumatised" and that the abuse, which happened when she was aged between six and nine years old, has left her quiet, withdrawn and nervous.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded guilty to sample sexual offence charges and his defending counsel has said he wanted to make a deep and sincere apology.
Today, at the Central Criminal Court, the man was handed an 18-year prison sentence, with the final five suspended.
