Courts / Wexford / Report
Former public servant was "burnt out of his house" following conviction for sexually assaulting two young girls, appeal court hears
Summary
Aidan Leacy, 56, of New Ross, Co. Wexford, was convicted of sexually assaulting two seven‑year‑old girls in the west of Ireland between November 2007 and January 2008. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment by Judge Carroll Moran at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on 3 March 2013. In the Court of Appeal, Judge George Birmingham reduced the sentence to three years' imprisonment with a two‑year post‑release supervision period. The appeal was successful. The Court noted that Leacy had shown the girls adult pornographic magazines, encouraged them to expose themselves, and had them pull down his trousers and his own clothes. The Court also recorded that Leacy's conviction led to two arson attacks on his home, the loss of his public service job, and the removal of his children from his care. He remains on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former public servant was "burnt out of his house" following conviction for sexually assaulting two young girls, appeal court hears. Charges or matters: one count of sexually assaulting two young girls in the west of the country on dates between November 2007 and January 2008. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- November 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 3 2013 Incident
- 2014-12-08 Publication
Why: It appeared, Mr Justice Birmingham said, that the HSE contacted the public service body for which Leacy had been employed and because the public had access to the parks and gardens where he was working, he lost his job. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: one count of sexually assaulting two young girls in the west of the country on dates between November 2007 and January 2008 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Following a successful appeal today by Leacy, a new sentence of three years imprisonment with two years post release supervision was imposed on him by the Court of Appeal. Nonetheless, the Court of Appeal was of the view that Leacy's sentence was out of line with sentences which have been imposed for comparable offending.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Cork
- Cork Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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