Courts / Dublin / Report
'Cool older cousin' groomed six children and 'shamelessly exploited' them
Summary
A 63-year-old Dublin man who was seen as the 'cool older cousin' by six children he groomed and sexually assaulted has been jailed for seven years. The man pleaded guilty to 10 sample counts of indecent and sexual assaults, which occurred between 1983 and 1990, and again in 2000. The abuse took place at his family homes in Dublin and Cork. The victims, who were his cousins and a cousin of a cousin, described the abuse as 'shameless exploitation.' Judge Orla Crowe noted the predatory nature of the offences and the breach of trust. One of the victims, who was aged nine to 11 when the abuse occurred, described being frozen in fear and feeling guilty for years. The court heard that the defendant had previously received a suspended sentence in 2005 for sexual assault. Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of nine years but reduced it to seven years, taking into account the defendant's remorse and health issues. The victims' impact statements highlighted the lasting trauma and the breakdown of family relationships.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Cool older cousin' groomed six children and 'shamelessly exploited' them. Charges or matters: 10 sample counts of indecent and sexual assaults at places in counties Dublin and Cork. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 2023 Incident
- April 2005 Incident
- 1983 and 1990 Incident
- 1999 and 2000 Incident
- 2026-02-23 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 10 sample counts of indecent and sexual assaults at places in counties Dublin and Cork (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Declan Brennan An engineer who was seen as the "cool older cousin" by six children whom he groomed before 'shamelessly' exploiting them has been jailed for seven years. Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of nine years and, taking into account mitigating and personal circumstances, she imposed a sentence of seven years' imprisonment.
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