Man (58) jailed for five years over sexual assault of his daughter’s best friend
The Wicklow PeopleA man who drove a teenage girl to a derelict building and sexually assaulted her has been jailed for five years at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court.
The victim chose to waive her anonymity and asked that the accused be named publicly
Hugh Kelly (58), with an address at Ozman House, Thomas Street, Co. Wexford, appeared at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to one count of sexual assault.
A member of An Garda Siochana’s Divisional Protective Services Unit in Wicklow town, Detective Garda Dave Smith, testified that in December 2021 the accused met up with the best friend of his daughter to give her cannabis. The court heard that the victim had been drinking and playing darts in a local pub in the village of Carnew.
Mr Kelly parked outside the pub, and the victim, who was intoxicated, got into the car. Mr Kelly suggested driving to a more secluded location. The pair made their way to a derelict property near the pub. Det Smith told the court that the vacant property is known locally as a place where young people go to drink and smoke.
While at the property, the defendant pulled down the victim’s trousers and performed oral sex. He also touched her breasts. Counsel for the prosecution, James Kelly BL, told the court that the sexual assault lasted several minutes.
The court was told that the victim was aged 16 at the time and was seen by a witness who was out walking her dogs shortly afterwards. The witness described the victim as being in a distressed state and brought her to her parents’ home. The witness contacted gardaí and an investigation began.
An early evidence kit was taken, and the defendant’s DNA was found on a used sanitary towel.
Mr Kelly was arrested in July 2022 and during interviews gave his own version of events. Det Smith stated that Mr Kelly claimed the victim had made sexual advances towards him.
The prosecution noted that the matter had been scheduled for trial in July 2024, but the defendant changed his plea. Mr Kelly has five previous convictions, all for road traffic offences.
The victim, who was not present in court, prepared a victim impact statement which was read aloud by counsel for the prosecution. In the statement she said she had attempted to write it five times, but needed the case to be over so she could move on. She said: “This man is the reason I cannot go to sleep at night.”
Defence counsel, Colman Cody SC, told the court that a psychological report was available which stated that Mr Kelly has a serious addiction to alcohol. The report also noted that the defendant was at a high risk of reoffending.
Mr Cody SC added that Mr Kelly is a native of Finglas in Co. Dublin and is one of seven children, but has since lost contact with his siblings.
Mr Kelly had a stammer in school, which led to constant bullying. He eventually left education at 16 after completing his Intercert.
The court was informed that Mr Kelly is operating with an extremely low IQ and that the psychologist noted he lacks maturity.
Counsel for the defence said his client is extremely dishevelled looking due to his alcohol problem. Sergeant Smith agreed. The court heard that a lot of work needs to be done to help him re-emerge into society upon release.
When sentencing, Judge Patrick Quinn remarked on the complete breach of trust involved in the defendant sexually assaulting the best friend of his then stepdaughter.
He imposed a sentence of five years, with the final 18 months suspended.
Mr Kelly had been convicted of defilement and sexual assault and sentenced to seven and a half years for an unrelated matter in Wexford Circuit Court on December 2, 2025.
His new five year sentence is to run consecutively to the prior sentence. Upon release, Mr Kelly must engage with a programme for sexual offenders.