At Nenagh Circuit Court last night Judge John Hannan said John Joe Patterson’s actions represented “the dark underbelly of Irish family life”.
His stepdaughters Emma and Vanessa Witherow waived their right to anonymity so the 55 year old who ran a Christmas Hamper delivery service could be named.
The court heard the abuses began when Emma was just nine and continued until she left the house at 18 taking her younger 13 year old sister Vanessa with her.
John Joe Patterson's wife Francis held his hand throughout the sentencing hearing and the court was told that despite his admissions of guilt to garda and his subsequent conviction – she stood by her husband.
Speaking to Tipp Fm after the sentencing both sisters felt while the prison term was lenient there is a sense of closure for them
