‘I will carry this with me for the rest of my life’

A former army officer who groomed and sexually abused two teenage boys during the 1990s has been jailed for 11 years.

Timothy O’Sullivan (66) subjected the two boys to repeated sexual assault and rape and told them they would be shot or buried in the mountains if they spoke out.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt commended the bravery of the two victims in coming forward and noted their “courageous” victim impact statements.

The men outlined the devastating effect of the abuse on their lives in the statements prepared for the sentencing hearing and both said they would never forgive O’Sullivan.

“I will carry this with me for the rest of my life and will never forgive him,” one of the men wrote.

O’Sullivan, of Marlborough Road, Dublin, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to sexual assault, oral and anal rape of the two boys on dates between 1991 and 1996 at locations in Dublin. He was in his 40s at the time while the boys were aged between 13 and 16.

Various locations

The court heard that a pattern developed of O’Sullivan buying the boys alcohol. The sexual abuse occurred at various locations including O’Sullivan’s home, a commercial bathhouse, car parks, pubs and hotel rooms.

Mr Justice Hunt said the aggravating features of the case included the fact that the victims had been “effectively groomed” and O’Sullivan had taken advantage of certain personal vulnerabilities in the boys. He noted the “horrifying and disgusting” nature of the abuse.

He said there was no doubt that the boys had been targeted by O’Sullivan with a view to abusing them. He also took into account the young age of the victims and the abuse of trust involved.

Alcohol

The judge noted the “inherent degradation” of the abuse and the fact the boys had been given alcohol which sometimes made them very sick.

Mr Justice Hunt noted the mitigating factors in the case including the guilty pleas which he said signalled to the victims that their account was accepted as being true and valid.

Seán Gillane SC, defending, said O’Sullivan had grown up in west Cork and joined the army as cadet where he was a officer for 20 years. He said on leaving the army that O’Sullivan had built up business interests including a guest house, restaurant and licensed premises but much of this was lost during the recession.

Counsel said O’Sullivan was very ashamed for what he had done and the hurt he had caused.

The court heard both victims had undergone counselling which they paid for themselves. One man said this had been a “huge expense” and the second man described how he had to stop counselling as he could no longer afford it.