by Bernie English
A LIMERICK man has been jailed for two years for sexual assault. The man, who is in his 50s, had previously pleaded guilty before the court in Limerick to six counts of sexual assault of two teenage sisters between March 1992 and October 1996. He was remanded on continuing bail on that occasion by Judge Gerald Keyes for sentencing before the court sitting in Ennis this week.
Having read the victim impact statements, Judge Keyes remarked that one of the girls felt “guilty and ashamed” while the other said that she had come forward to make a complaint so the abuser would not assault anyone else.
Judge Keyes noted that one victim said the abuser’s “manipulation and lies” had led to a breakdown in her relationships with her family.
Representing the accused man, Lorcan Connelly BL said that he had been a prominent figure in the community.
The court heard the accused had no contact with the two girls since 2007 and that he had written a letter of apology to them and to their mother.
“Sexual assault is a very serious offence,” Judge Keyes stated. He sentenced the abuser to two years in jail on each of the six counts to which he had pleaded and ordered that the prison terms run concurrently.
