A 78-year-old grandfather has avoided an “unpleasant time in prison” after Judge Eugene O’Kelly gave him a six month suspended sentence for sexually assaulting his grandson on two occasions in in 2009 and 2010.
The pensioner, who can not be named for legal reasons on foot of the judge’s order, pleaded guilty to inappropriately touching the genital area of the then four year old boy at an address in Limerick City.
The court heard from Sergeant Donal Cronin that the matter came to light when the boy engaged with his mother and told her of what had happened. A complaint was made to gardai and an investigation into the incident was carried out.
The matters before the court related to two incidents that were said to have happened on dates between October and December 2009 with the second offence taking place on dates between May and September 2010
Solicitor for the accused, Sarah Ryan, provided the court with a report from clinical psychologist, John Gregory, who said that the man was engaging with counselling in an effort to deal with the matter.
After being told that a probation report was to be provided to the Circuit Court on October 19 next, Judge Eugene O’Kelly said that he had to “deal with and finalise the matters he had before him”.
“He is getting help and that is what is the most important thing to remember”, the judge said, adding that “I am giving him the incentive to work with a councillor to avoid what would surely be a very unpleasant time for him in prison at his age”.
Judge O’Kelly convicted and sentenced the accused to six months in prison but suspended the sentence on his own bond of €500 to keep the peace and be of good behavior for a period of two years.
“He is to engage fully with counselling and Mr Gregory’s recommendations”, the judge said.
