Ireland Case No. 15001Gross indecency with a child · Co. Longford
Man sentenced at Longford Circuit Court over gross indecency against a child
A man aged 44 was sentenced at Longford Circuit Court for gross indecency against a male child aged 11 to 13. The offences took place about every two months at a midlands GAA ground between early 2005 and mid 2006, when the accused was in his 20s, and the child disclosed the abuse to his father in 2012. The accused, who had left the jurisdiction, was extradited to Ireland in April 2019, initially charged with sexual assault, and later pleaded guilty to three counts of gross indecency on an amended indictment, with six similar charges entered as nolle prosequi. In January 2025, Judge Kenneth Connolly imposed 18 months in prison with the final six months suspended, to run consecutively to an earlier sentence for other sexual offences.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced8 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A man aged 44 pleaded guilty to three counts of gross indecency with a child.
- Where
- The offences took place at a midlands GAA ground, about once every two months.
- When
- The offences took place over one year and five months, from early 2005 to mid 2006, when the accused was in his 20s.
- Investigation
- The child disclosed the abuse to his father in 2012 and statements were taken.
- A search warrant was executed at the accused's home, and Gardaí learned he had left the jurisdiction to live in the UK.
- Other details
- The accused was extradited from the USA and arrived in Ireland in April 2019.
- Sources give different dates for the report: the tracker lists 8 January 2025, while the article text says it was published 11 January 2025.
- Charges
- He was initially charged with sexual assault and later with nine counts of gross indecency with a child aged 11 to 13.
- He pleaded guilty to three counts of gross indecency on an amended indictment, and a nolle prosequi was entered on six other similar charges.
- After his arrival in Ireland, he was charged with more serious sexual offences against another child.
- In court
- Judge Kenneth Connolly sentenced him at Longford Circuit Court, citing his guilty plea, deteriorating health, apology and remorse, and his own PTSD as mitigating factors.
- Aggravating factors included the serious nature, frequency and duration of the offending, a breach of trust, and the accused seeing the child as an easy target.
- Sentence
- He was sentenced to 18 months in prison with the final six months suspended for 18 months, on condition that he engage with probation services to identify counselling for his PTSD.
- The sentence is to run consecutively to an earlier sentence for other sexual offences, with a headline sentence of two years on one count.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whereOne count of gross indecency took place every two months at a midlands GAA ground. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe offences took place over one year and five months, from early 2005 to mid 2006. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationThe child disclosed the abuse to his father in 2012 and statements were taken. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationA search warrant was executed at the home of the accused, and Gardaí learned he had left the jurisdiction to live in the UK. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeThe man was charged with nine counts of gross indecency with a child aged between 11 and 13 years. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeHe was initially charged with sexual assault. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to three counts of gross indecency on an amended indictment. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeA nolle prosequi was entered on six other similar charges. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe sentence was imposed by Judge Kenneth Connolly at Longford Circuit Court. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtMitigating factors included the guilty plea, the accused's deteriorating health, his apology and remorse, and his own PTSD. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe man was sentenced to 18 months in prison with the final six months suspended. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence is to be served consecutively to a sentence previously imposed for other sexual offences. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge fixed a headline sentence of two years on one count. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe final six months were suspended for 18 months, on condition that the accused engage with probation services to identify counselling for his PTSD. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe man was in his 20s when the offences were committed. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherHe was extradited from the USA, arriving in Ireland in April 2019, and was then charged with more serious sexual offences against another child. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherAggravating factors included the serious nature of the offending, its frequency and duration, a breach of trust, and the accused seeing the child as an easy target. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Jan2025'Truly harrowing spectacle': Longford Circuit Court hears convicted sex offender gifted victim a box of pens
Reports the sentencing of the accused at Longford Circuit Court, including the charges he pleaded guilty to, the period of the offences, how the abuse came to light, his extradition, the headline sentence and the probation condition.
convicted, 44, malevictim, 11 to 13 at time of offences, male