A former director of a business machines firm who had sex with schoolgirls has been jailed for six years by Judge Kieran O'Connor at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The former electrician turned electronics expert was also given 14 concurrent three-year sentences for sexually assaulting six girls between 1992 and 1996. The court had heard he forced the girls to "rate" each other's sexual performances while he abused them.
He also procured some of the girls for a man (who has been jailed) who sexually abused them in a Dublin hotel. Judge O'Connor prohibited publication of the man's name and other details. The man pleaded guilty on April 14th to four charges of unlawful carnal knowledge and 14 of sexual abuse of six girls.
Det Garda Edward McBride told Ms Mary Ellen Ring, prosecuting, that the man's contact with the girls began when one of them began calling to his house and playing there. They played games and trust was built up.
This girl's friend began joining them and the man started paying them money to undress for him and abusing them. Other girls were forced to watch as he abused one of the others.
Det Garda McBride said the man had sexual intercourse with two girls under 15. He advertised in magazines for men to telephone the girls and through this a Limerick man met some of them.
The offences came to light as a result of a Garda search when photographs were discovered. The girls were identified and their parents were informed.
Mr George Birmingham, defending, said his client apologised to the girls and their families.
Judge O'Connor said the man had introduced his victims to sex in a conniving way, first gaining their trust and then exploiting it. "I consider that quite reprehensible," he said.