A 69-year-old former bus conductor who indecently assaulted two young brothers over a sustained period of time said he was having "normal, loving and caring relationships" with them, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.
Frank Cooney, of Mellowes Avenue, Finglas, Dublin, who abused the boys in various locations across Dublin, including in hotels and B&Bs, told gardaí such behaviour was normal in many societies across the world.
He said he thought what he had with them were "healthy normal relationships".
He also told gardaí following his arrest in 1998 that he had had such "relationships" with other boys and named two.
The offences were committed before he abused the two brothers who used to run errands for his sister, with whom he lived.
He pleaded guilty to seven sample counts of indecently assaulting the two brothers between 1976 and 1980.
The older brother, whom he abused between 1976 and 1978, was between 12 and 14 years old at the time.
Judge Desmond Hogan ordered a Probation and Welfare Services report for the sentence hearing in March