Man pleaded guilty to abusing two girls; sentence adjourned

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

A 59-year-old man pleaded guilty to 12 counts, including rape, oral rape and sexual assault. The proceedings were reported on 23 February 2024.

The Central Criminal Court heard that he had initially faced 26 charges, but the pleas were acceptable to the Director of Public Prosecutions on a full facts basis. He cannot be named for legal reasons.

The offences involved two victims over separate periods, primarily in Dublin and Kildare. The first was aged between 12 and 17 during the abuse from 1992 to 1997. The man was a family friend working in her parents’ business. The abuse included rape, oral rape and sexual assault.

The second victim was aged between 11 and 17 during the abuse from 2000 to 2006. She was the sister of the man’s former partner. The abuse included inappropriate touching and digital penetration, often when she visited his home.

Both complainants’ victim impact statements were read to the court. The first said the abuse had irreversibly affected her life. The second said she later disclosed the abuse to protect her own child.

Defence counsel Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC said his client had convinced himself he had consent but now recognised that was not the case. Counsel offered the man’s psychological history as an explanation, not a justification, and said he had manipulated the victims. He also said a probation report indicated the man was still engaging in some distortions but had expressed remorse.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt said he would consider the features of the case and whether to suspend part of a sentence. He remanded the man in custody and adjourned the case to April 8 for finalisation.

This report covers an earlier stage of the case. Later developments are not reported here.