Courts / Dublin / Report

Child sex offender abused and exploited girl (3) after befriending father

Date
2023-12-07
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A 61-year-old man pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to nine sample counts from 69 charges, spanning March 2021 to November 2022, alleging he sexually exploited a girl aged three to five. The accused admitted to five counts of sexually exploiting a child, three counts of producing child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography. He befriended the victim's father, who lived nearby, and abused the child while caring for her. The court heard of his extensive criminal history, including a 2008 jail sentence for sexually assaulting a minor and a 2014 suspended sentence for possessing child pornography. Although the validated procedural stage is sentence, the matter was adjourned to January 31 for finalisation. Judge Orla Crowe ordered a probation report to assess future risk and requested a structure for the accused's eventual release. The court noted the accused's medical condition, including a recent coronary stent, and his cooperation with gardaí. Victim impact statements highlighted the severe trauma suffered by the child and her parents. The accused expressed remorse, and counsel noted his early guilty plea and history of therapy, though he struggled to control urges. The case remains pending final sentencing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Child sex offender abused and exploited girl (3) after befriending father. Charges or matters: nine sample counts from a total of 69 charges spanning a period between March 2021 and November 2022. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed 61-year-old

Accused

Charges: nine sample counts from a total of 69 charges spanning a period between March 2021 and November 2022 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: The accused man has several previous convictions, including one for possession of child pornography in 2014, for which he was sentenced to four years with the final year suspended. He was jailed for three years in 2008 for sexually assaulting a minor in 2004 and he received a suspended sentence in 1997 for sexual assault.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Secondary Mention
Incident
  • Temple Street

Topics

Stage Sentence

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