Courts / Cork / Report

Ex Sports Coach admits to indecently assaulting teenage boys on 6th day of trial

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 72‑year‑old former sports coach admitted to 13 counts of indecent assault on five teenage boys between December 1979 and March 1990. The admissions followed Judge Martin Nolan's ruling that incidents involving complainants aged 15 or older should not be considered by the jury, as the law at the time allowed consensual activity post‑15. The defendant had initially pleaded not guilty to 266 counts covering 1978‑1993. He denied wrongdoing, claiming some allegations were fabricated or that he only acted after the boys turned 15. The judge remanded him in custody and adjourned sentencing to 22 May, noting the conduct was "grossly immoral" but not criminally illegal under the 1980s law. The case remains pending sentencing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Ex Sports Coach admits to indecently assaulting teenage boys on 6th day of trial. Charges or matters: 13 sample counts of indecently assaulting five boys in locations in the south east of the country on unknown dates between December 1979 and March 1990. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• December 1979 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 1990 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 22 Adjournment
• June 1985 Other
• 1978 and 1993 Other
• 2023-04-25 Publication

Why: "You have stretched the ages to turn yourself under the age of 15 for this trial because 15 is [was] the age of consent," defence counsel said. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report