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Victim dropped complaint against serial sex abuser after advice from garda, court hears
Summary
Patrick O'Brien, aged 78, pleaded guilty to 15 counts of sexual assault, including oral and anal rape of a 13‑year‑old boy, and three counts of gross indecency. The offences occurred at his home in Knocklyon Road, Templeogue, Dublin, and other city locations between April 2002 and December 2003. O'Brien, a former Church of Ireland lay worker, is serving a 13‑year jail term imposed in 2016 for raping and molesting 14 boys over 40 years. In 1989 he received a suspended sentence for assaulting a ten‑year‑old boy in 1982. The victim first complained in 2002, but the complaint was withdrawn in 2010 after a Garda advised him not to pursue charges. The Garda later advised the victim again in 2016, leading to a second file to the DPP and subsequent prosecution. The court heard that the victim had accepted gifts from O'Brien during the abuse and felt he might be held responsible.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Victim dropped complaint against serial sex abuser after advice from garda, court hears. Charges or matters: 15 counts of sexual assault, many of which involved oral and anal rape of the child; the rape and molestation of 14 young boys over the course of 40 years. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 2002 Other
- December 2003 Other
- June 14 Adjournment
- 2018-05-08 Publication
Why: A file was sent to the DPP but because of the victim's withdrawal statement, no prosecution was brought. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 15 counts of sexual assault, many of which involved oral and anal rape of the child; the rape and molestation of 14 young boys over the course of 40 years (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: In 1989, he received a suspended sentence for the sexual assault of a ten-year-old boy in 1982.; Mr Justice Paul Butler said he needed time to construct a sentence and adjourned the case to June 14 next.
Places mentioned
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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