Two women sexually abused as children in Limerick want paedophile named

TWO WOMEN sexually abused when they were girls said they hoped by speaking out and going to the gardai it would help show “other victims of historic sexual abuse that it is never too late to pursue justice”.

 The two women said they made the complaints to try and “protect other little girls” from the defendant or any other “paedophile”.

The man sexually assaulted the two girls, Miss A and Miss B, on different dates in the 1980s when they were aged between three and eight-years-old.

The man, aged 63, cannot be named for legal reasons at this time.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, informed the court that while both victims stressed they wished to retain their anonymity, they supported legal restrictions being lifted on naming the accused.

The man pleaded not guilty to a total of five counts of indecently assaulting the two girls at a trial in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

A jury found him guilty on four of the counts. They could not agree on the fifth charge.

Miss A and Miss B were aged between three and eight-years-old when the sexual abuse occurred in the 1980s. Both women gave emotional victim impact statements at a sentencing hearing last Tuesday.

Miss A said the sexual abuse “warped” her childhood. She said “despite extensive and ongoing therapy, the psychological scars never go away”.

Miss A said she “feared” for her own daughter and “all little girls because of men like him” which convinced her “to come forward (to Gardaí) once and for all”.

“He needs to go to prison for justice to be served. Justice has been delayed but it should not be denied,” said Miss A.

Miss B said: “Before these heinous acts were committed on me I was a carefree, innocent six-year-old little girl who had no idea of sexual behaviour or deviancy.”

“As a child, I was confused and terrified. The person who hurt me was someone who was supposed to protect and serve our community. Instead, he took advantage of my innocence and vulnerability,” she said.

Ms B said the sexual abuse “shattered” her trust in others. 

“I had never seen a man’s penis before, and the thought and disgusting smell of his penis has stayed with me into adulthood and still makes me feel sick to my stomach,” said Miss B.

She praised her parents “who instantly believed me and brought me to make a statement to gardai” following the abuse which occurred a week prior to her first holy communion.  The DPP at the time determined there would be no prosecution, the court heard.

Miss B said she struggled with the anxiety “that there are many more (paedophiles) out there”. 

“It has affected my family who felt helpless in bringing this paedophile to justice. I watched it have a devastating impact on my parents and siblings.

“The only reason I have put myself and my family through this is to keep other children safe from this man,” said Miss B.

She said he is now a convicted paedophile. 

“I am certain that he thought he would never have to answer for what he did to me but I am relieved that my allegations were finally taken seriously by the DPP and that he is being held to account.”

“If (he) had been held accountable when I made my original complaint, (Miss A) may have avoided his depraved actions. My hope is that by making his crimes known to the public he will never have the opportunity to harm another child,” said Miss B.

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In mitigation, the man’s barrister, Anthony Sammon SC, said his client had served an honourable career in the Defence Forces and had not had “penetrative” sex with the girls.

Counsel said the accused  is currently suffering with depression and back pain; and his ill wife depends on him.

Mr Sammon asked the judge to take into account the defendant’s past “service to the State, and his previous good character”.

Judge Colin Daly said he had “much to consider. He adjourned matters to  April 28 for sentence and deal with the question of  anonymity.