Wicklow court hears man admitted to sexual offences involving a minor
The Wicklow PeopleA man who has admitted engaging in sexual activity with a young teenage girl has appeared before Wicklow Circuit Court for sentencing.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual matters with a child under 17. The incidents took place between November 2019 and November 2020.
The court heard that the defendant, who was 19 at the time of the incidents, had engaged in sexual acts with the daughter of his father’s partner, who was 15 years old at the time the incidents took place.
Sergeant James McDonagh, who was a member of the Protective Services Unit based in Wicklow at the time, told the court that in December 2020 the victim’s mother came forward to report what had taken place.
He was assigned to investigate in February 2021. Sgt McDonagh told the court that the victim and the defendant had started a sexual relationship and would contact each other using Snapchat.
Sgt McDonagh explained to the court about the separate occasions on which the pair had engaged in sexual acts.
Counsel for the prosecution, James Kelly SC, read the victim impact statement into the record.
In the statement, the victim talked about her early school years leading to the relationship and the lack of self-esteem and bullying she suffered from.
She continued, stating, “I watched it destroy my mother’s mental health.”
She added: “The shame and guilt is difficult and I still don’t feel like I have fully processed it.”
The court heard that the victim has not entered third level education as she feels she couldn’t fully commit while the case was ongoing.
Justin McQuade BL, for the defence, instructed by Brendan Maloney Solicitors, clarified that there is no blood relationship between the two parties.
He explained that an age gap of four years is all that separated them. He stated that his client is a qualified tradesman who has a “strong work ethic” and has never come to Garda attention.
The father of the defendant testified that he and the victim’s mother had been in a relationship and have one child together.
He told the court that his son had worked with him at the weekends while doing his apprenticeship and has since started a relationship with a new partner and is like a father to her small daughter. He added that he is “extremely proud of my son”.
Mr McQuade told the court that his client has never been on social welfare and has ”never fell back on the state”.
The court was informed that the defendant had entered a guilty plea in May of this year, which Mr McQuade believes is an indicator of his client’s remorse.
Judge Patrick Quinn adjourned the matter to November 11 for sentencing.