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Child abusing former scout leader further jailed
Summary
David O'Brien, a 70‑year‑old former scout leader, was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment for indecently assaulting a nine‑ or ten‑year‑old boy during a scouting trip in 1981. O'Brien, who has 22 prior convictions for indecent assault and has admitted abusing more than 40 children between 1975 and 1983, is already serving sentences that include an eight‑year term and a six‑year term, with release not expected until February 2025. The court heard that the boy, who was sleeping with other cubs, was approached by O'Brien who fondled his genitals and anus while the boy was frozen and in shock. The boy later reported the abuse after media reports on sexual abuse in Scouting Ireland. O'Brien pleaded guilty, acknowledged his paedophilic nature, and expressed remorse. Judge Melanie Greally noted the boy's lasting harm and the breach of trust, and imposed the 16‑month sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Child abusing former scout leader further jailed. Charges or matters: a single count of indecently assaulting the boy, who was aged nine or 10 at the time, on a date in 1981; every complaint. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 2025 Incident
- October 2015 Incident
- 1975 and 1983 Incident
- 2022-05-06 Publication
Why: In the victim impact statement, the complainant, who did not wish to be named in order to protect his family, said the abuse had left him feeling "frozen and alone". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: a single count of indecently assaulting the boy, who was aged nine or 10 at the time, on a date in 1981; every complaint (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: David O'Brien has been further sentenced to 16 months in prison for sexually abusing a young boy on an overnight scouting trip more than 40 years ago. "Self-confessed paedophile" O'Brien (70), who is currently an inmate of Midlands Prison, Portlaoise and was formerly of Benburb St, Dublin, pleaded guilty to a single count of indecently assaulting the boy, who was aged nine or 10 at the time, on a date in 1981. Judge Greally sentenced O'Brien to 16 months in prison dating from today.
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