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'Danger to children' abused boy on 1970's football trip

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Joseph Thorpe, aged 73, pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault committed between September 1974 and September 1976 during a club trip to County Kerry. The victim, aged 12 to 14 at the time, remains anonymous but described Thorpe as "vile", "evil" and a "danger to children". Thorpe, who had previously been convicted of indecent assault on a teenage boy in the 1980s and received a two‑year suspended sentence in 1990, was found to have lived on a mobile home site in County Meath. The court noted Thorpe's history of five prior convictions, his complex medical issues, and his willingness to engage with the Probation Service. The judge adjourned the case for one week, remanded Thorpe in custody until 25 June, and directed that he receive all required medical treatment while in custody.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Danger to children' abused boy on 1970's football trip. Charges or matters: one count of indecent assault on a trial date earlier this year. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• September 1974 Incident
• September 1976 Incident
• June 25 Adjournment
• 2025-06-18 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report