Mother Denies Telling Daughter Fathers Abuse Was 'Not That Bad'

The mother of a woman abused by her father from the age of two to 12 has denied encouraging her daughter not to tell anyone about it.

Gerard Smith was sentenced in 2006 to six years' imprisonment, with a further two suspended, after he had pleaded guilty to five sample charges.

These related to abuse of his daughter Ailish in the 1980s at times when his wife Catherine was out of the house.

Ailish Smith has waived her right to anonymity so that her father can be named.

Yesterday, Catherine Smith denied Ailish's claim that she had told her daughter not to tell anyone about the abuse. She also denied telling her: "It was not that bad, he did not rape you."

Such a claim, she said, was "absolutely not true", adding: "I did not say that to my daughter... it is an utter lie."

Ailish Smith, 38, of Templeview Lawn, Clarehall, Dublin, has brought a High Court action for damages for sexual assault against her father, Gerard Smith, of Magenta Hall, Santry, Dublin.

Liability in the case is not being contested, but the defence argues that the case has been brought outside of the time limit.

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