Courts / Waterford / Report
Former member of Garda Reserve jailed for rape and sexual abuse of boy
Summary
James Anthony Kelly, 57, of Ballycashin, Waterford, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for raping and sexually abusing a boy he had befriended. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault, two counts of oral rape and two counts of gross indecency involving a child under 17, committed between March 2000 and March 2003. The victim, aged 14 to 17 at the time, was a friend of Kelly's who had been involved in local youth clubs. The abuse took place while the boy was camping or in isolated spots during car drives, involving mutual masturbation and oral sex. Kelly denied grooming and claimed the boy had initiated some encounters. He was a former Garda Reserve member. The judge imposed an eight‑year sentence, suspended 18 months, with strict conditions for probation and therapeutic intervention.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former member of Garda Reserve jailed for rape and sexual abuse of boy. Charges or matters: two counts of sexual assault, involving mutual masturbation, two counts of oral rape and two counts of gross indecency of a child under the age of 17 years old on dates between March 2000 and March 2003. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 2000 Incident
- March 2003 Incident
- September 9, 2020 Incident
- October 2018 Incident
- 2011 until 2019 Incident
- 2024-01-22 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of sexual assault, involving mutual masturbation, two counts of oral rape and two counts of gross indecency of a child under the age of 17 years old on dates between March 2000 and March 2003 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Ring imposed a sentence of eight years before she suspended the final 18 months of the term on strict conditions including that Kelly engage with the Probation Service for 18 months upon his release and engage with any therapeutic intervention as recommended by the service.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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