Courts / Waterford / Report
'Paedophile predator' scout leader jailed for abusing boys
Summary
A 61-year-old former scout leader has been sentenced to six years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his guilty plea to three counts of sexual assault committed between 1991 and 2000. The man, whose identity is protected to safeguard victims' anonymity, abused three boys aged between 11 and 14 at a scouting den in Dublin and at locations in Waterford and Monaghan. The abuse included inappropriate touching, masturbation and oral sex. Judge Martin Nolan described the defendant's conduct as "very serious" and "very reprehensible," noting he had abused his position of trust and authority over vulnerable, impressionable children and their families. The court imposed three-year sentences on each count, with two to run consecutively. Three victim impact statements were presented, with victims describing long-term psychological harm, damaged trust and ongoing mental health difficulties. The defence highlighted the defendant's guilty plea, work history and psychological assessment indicating low re-offending risk, though the judge found these factors provided only limited mitigation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Paedophile predator' scout leader jailed for abusing boys. Charges or matters: three counts of sexual assault on dates between 1991 and 2000 at the scouting den in Dublin and at a location in Waterford. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 1991 and 2000 Incident
- 1997 and 2000 Incident
- 2024-01-26 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of sexual assault on dates between 1991 and 2000 at the scouting den in Dublin and at a location in Waterford (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Eimear Dodd A "paedophile predator" scout leader who sexually abused three boys in attacks that began almost 30 years ago has been jailed for six years. He imposed three year sentences in relation to each count, but directed that two of these sentences should run consecutively, meaning the man was handed a global sentence of six years.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Mentally ill man who put fellow psychiatric patient in chokehold to be immediately released into care of UK parents
- Former Christian Brothers accused of breach of duty to be named in national newspaper
- Murderer claims reference to Conor McGregor brought 'toxic masculinity' baggage
- Combined 15-year sentence for violent rape and abuse is upheld
- High Court to consider publishing names of 340 former Christian Brothers
- Disability charity boss wins record €323k for 'egregious' whistleblower penalisation
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request