Nine months in jail for Kildare man who sexually assaulted teen girl

A man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teenage girl was sentenced to serve nine months in prison.

The in-camera (in private) case involving the man, who is aged in his 60s, was heard at Naas District Court on Thursday, July 6.

It was heard that on a date in Kildare at 2021, the man was sitting at a table eating dinner and drinking beer, alongside his friend, his friend’s daughter, and the injured party, who was a friend of the daughter.

His solicitor said that her client instructed her to say that the injured party was upset after confiding in her friend and him that she had been having sexual relations with other girls.

When he found out that she was upset, he comforted her.

The solicitor added that he submitted a guilty plea so that the injured party would not have to come to court.

It was heard that the injured party said that he had told her that she was 'beautiful' around five times, and added that he was related to a famous Irish musician.

She then said that he rubbed her lower back and knee, and put his hand down her top and started rubbing her bare back.

The girl also said that the man would pull his hand away anytime another adult came into the room, and when they would leave, he would resume touching her again.

At later point in the day, when she was alone in the room with him, she said that the man called her over to him, but she refused to go over.

She later told her friend about what the man had done to her.

In her victim impact statement, she said she has been taking sleeping tablets, has entered into counselling, and now 'has a fear of drunk men.'

After reading the statement, Judge Desmond Zaidan remarked that the man's version of events did not line up with hers.

The judge said: "If anyone here has shown a degree of maturity, it's the injured party."

Speaking directly to the man, he said: "You have added insult to injury with that excuse."

He also said that there was a breach of trust involved in the case, and pointed out that she was known to him.

The judge imposed a nine-month sentence for the offence, and set his appeal at €500.

The man will be placed on the sex offenders register.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact: One in Four (oneinfour.ie), Rape Crisis Helpline (1800-778888), the Samaritans (116123 or [email protected]) and HSE counselling services (1800-235234)