Man jailed for having sex with underage girls in Louth
The Drogheda IndependentA 22-year-old man who had sex with two underage girls has been jailed for four years and 3 months.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of defilement with six more taken into consideration.
The defendant was 17 when he started a relationship with Victim A who was aged 13, while he was 19 when with 15-year-old Victim B.
Judge Dara Hayes said that in both cases the man was old enough to know better.
Consecutive sentences of 3 years and 2 years, three months were imposed, the final 12 months conditionally suspended for two years.
Dundalk Circuit Court heard that the defendant had regular sexual intercourse with Victim A, despite a warning from Gardaí in December 2020 about her age.
During the relationship which began the previous September, she would sneak out to meet him.
The matter came to light on April 19, 2021, during a doctor’s visit which confirmed her pregnancy. The doctor made a referral to Tusla Child and Family Agency.
She travelled to Northern Ireland with the accused before returning home to the care of her parents.
The girl was reluctant to engage with a Garda investigation. She said that he hadn’t harmed her. She gave birth to a daughter in December, 2021. DNA confirmed the defendant was the father.
At the outset Victim A told him she was 14 before quickly revealing her real age. He said that he was 16.
Evidence was given that Victim B met the defendant on social media. She initially told him she was 16 before soon revealing her real age.
On April 15, 2022, he supplied her and a friend with alcohol at a house party. She was "highly intoxicated” when she went upstairs with him and had sexual intercourse.
Afterwards they went to a hotel where staff expressed concern and contacted Gardaí.
Victim B had contacted friends for help who arrived at the hotel and took her away. The defendant went with them. When he returned to the hotel to collect his car Gardaí were waiting.
DNA on this victim was matched to the accused. There was no charge relating to the hotel.
She had taken a pregnancy test which was positive. However, further tests in hospital proved that she wasn’t pregnant.
In a Victim Impact Statement she said that she suffered panic attacks, flashbacks and was traumatised.
She was terrified walking alone, looking over her shoulder. She became depressed and couldn’t go to school and had trust issues.
A woman told the court that she was in an ongoing relationship with the accused for around two years. They had a son together.
Her partner took his responsibilities seriously and had matured, she said.
Judge Hayes remarked that some content of a psychological report on the defendant’s behalf “doesn’t reflect what took place”.
Meanwhile, the accused told a probation officer who had compiled a report for the court, that he believed Victim B was 17.
It was a matter of concern that he minimised his culpability.
The probation officer expressed concerns about his attitude towards consent.
He was originally from Lithuania and had come to Ireland as a child. He was in full-time employment.
Judge Hayes said that they were serious offences. The law sought to protect children.
He said that Victim B was vulnerable on account of being highly intoxicated. The defendant had supplied her with alcohol.
There were multiple instances of offending behaviour involving Victim A, much of it after a specific warning about her age.
The court noted that the man had not come to attention since, and had withdrawn a district court appeal for possession of child abuse images.
Victim B was present for the sentence hearing and Judge Hayes said that he was sorry for what happened to her. It shouldn’t have happened.