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Decorated solider jailed for sexually abusing boys
Summary
Michael McGuinness, 61, a former army driver who served 21 years, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for indecent assault on three boys aged seven to thirteen between 1979 and 1990. The offences, committed while he was a trusted local figure, involved sexual abuse in his car and home, including forcing the boys to masturbate. McGuinness pleaded guilty to five counts; four carried a maximum of two years each, and a final count carried a maximum of ten years. Judge Melanie Greally imposed consecutive sentences totalling three years, suspended the final twelve months, and back‑dated the sentence to his first custodial period in November. McGuinness admitted the abuse to Gardaí in 2019, described it as a "dark dirty secret", and expressed remorse. He has no prior convictions and has engaged in therapeutic interventions. The court noted the lasting impact on the victims and the low risk of re‑offending.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Decorated solider jailed for sexually abusing boys. Charges or matters: five counts of indecently assaulting the three boys in Dublin and in unknown locations in the state between 1979 and 1990. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 1979 and 1990 Incident
- 2022-03-15 Publication
Why: "He was seen as trusted in the area because he was in the army," the man said in his victim impact statement. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: five counts of indecently assaulting the three boys in Dublin and in unknown locations in the state between 1979 and 1990 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Greally imposed consecutive sentences totalling three years. She suspended the final 12 months of the sentence on strict conditions and backdated the sentence to when McGuinness first went into custody last November.
Places mentioned
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