A 52-year-old Co Clare man whose status allowed him to prey on his victims received a two-year jail term at Ennis Circuit Court yesterday after pleading guilty to 10 counts of sexual assault and 13 counts of indecent assault.
The offences, committed over a 26-year period, involved seven victims, all of whom are nieces of the defendant.
In sentencing, Judge Kevin Haugh said the man enjoyed a welcome in the victims' homes and his status enabled him to prey on his victims secure in the knowledge they were unlikely to tell about him.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the offences at Ennis Circuit Court on October 20th last, where sentencing was adjourned to yesterday's court to allow for victim impact reports.
In addition to the reports read by Judge Haugh, Mr Brendan Nix, for the defendant, gave a hand-written letter from the defendant into court.
Mr Nix said as a consequence of the man's actions his family and children have been stigmatised in their local community. Since the offences came to light, the man's physical appearance had completely changed and he was no longer the gregarious type of man he once was. He was mindful of what he has done.
Judge Haugh said, from reading the reports, it was clear he committed serial offences against his nieces. The man never properly appreciated the serious effects and serious upset he was causing.
Judge Haugh said in the full and frank admission of his crimes the defendant made to gardai last year, it was apparent he lacked insight and had the distorted view that as long as rape did not occur he was engaging in horseplay.
In all the circumstances, Judge Haugh said he would impose a sentence of three years on each of the charges to run concurrently and suspend the final year from the sentence.