Courts / Dublin / Report
Former care worker who abused girl (10) went on the run for 17 years
Summary
In 2002 a 30‑year‑old former care worker pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 10‑year‑old neighbour in west Dublin. He failed to attend his sentencing hearing and fled to the UK, remaining at large for 17 years. He was located in 2019, extradited to Ireland, and in 2021 was sentenced by Mr Justice Michael White to three years' imprisonment, back‑dated to 19 April 2019. The court noted the assault occurred on St Patrick's Day 2000 when the victim, who had come to borrow Sellotape, was pushed off a couch, had her clothing removed, and was allegedly penetrated for five minutes. The defendant admitted sexual contact but denied penetration; the judge found the act to be "much more serious than touching" and imposed the custodial term accordingly. The sentence was based on the guilty plea, admissions and limited remorse shown. The victim's identity was protected.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former care worker who abused girl (10) went on the run for 17 years. Charges or matters: sexual assault but he failed to appear for his sentence hearing that year. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 17, 2000 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 19, 2019 Other
- 2021-02-10 Publication
Why: Sentencing the defendant today, Mr Justice White said the defendant had visited the child's parents and asked for forgiveness but this was "tempered" by the "diminishing and blatant lack of respect" for the victim, because he had evaded justice for so long. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: sexual assault but he failed to appear for his sentence hearing that year (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A former care worker who went on the run for 17 years after he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting his 10-year-old neighbour has been jailed for three years.
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
Topics
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