Donegal man who sexually assaulted two sisters to be sentenced next week

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victims, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court on Tuesday to be sentenced having pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two female children.

The charge of sexual assault of a female child occurred while she sat on his knee on a date unknown between February 17, 1992 and September 30, 2020.

He was further charged with sexual assault of a female child by touching her under her pyjamas while she was sitting on his knee on a date between April 29, 1997 and April 28, April 1998.

The court was told that the plea was accepted on a full-facts basis.

The court heard how one of the victims made the initial complaint against the man who was related to the victims.

In her statement, she explained that she was not sure of her age but the charges relate to a time when she was between four and 12 years old.

Detective Garda Michelle Kelly told Ms Fiona Crawford BL, state prosecutor, that one of the complainants related to a time when she was playing a Nintendo game in the house of a relative.

In her statement, she said she remembered playing a Nintendo game and while she was sitting on the defendant’s knee and he put his hands down her trousers.

The court heard she said he started touching her with his fingers for a few minutes before she got off his knee.

In another incident, she explained she was in a relative’s home and while she was alone with the defendant, he unzipped her trousers and sexually assaulted her with his mouth.

In a third incident, which she believed was around the time of her First Holy Communion, she remembers the accused unzipping her trousers and sexually assaulting her with his mouth in a similar way to the previous incident.

She said she did not tell anyone about the incidents because she did not really understand it.

The second victim also provided Gardaí with an account of an incident involving the defendant.

She explained she was around 11 years old when the defendant put the young girl on his knee while playing a computer game.

He then put both hands around her waist, moved himself in towards the girl and put his hands under the girl’s trousers and onto each of the girl’s bum cheeks before the girl ‘wiggled’ off his knee.

Both of the victims prepared victim impact statements and they were read aloud by Detective Kelly.

The first victim, who was not in court, said she had suppressed the abuse claiming it all felt like a weird dream or as if it was not real.

She said she was not sure of her exact age when the abuse occurred but it has impacted her greatly as she became a timid child who was scared of a lot of things.

She explained that she was bullied as she was afraid to stand up for herself and the bullying had held her back in different ways.

The statement explained that she was scared to get a job and she also struggled to order food in a restaurant or café.

She added that something bad happened in her past but she will not let it decide what happens in the rest of her future.

She concluded by saying ‘I am a survivor now, not a victim.’

A statement from the second victim was also read aloud.

She said she was naïve as a child but in her 20s she found out that worse had happened to her sister and she suffered from guilt.

She said some fond memories had now been tainted.

She concluded by saying an admission of guilt is a small compensation and thanked for her family for their support.

The defendant took to the witness stand and read out two letters of apology to the victims and said he was deeply sorry and ashamed of what his actions.

He added the victims did not deserve what he did to them and he understands the gravity of what he had done and the impact it has had on their lives.

He said he misused their trust and said he has no right to ask but he hopes someday they will find it in their hearts to forgive him.

Defence barrister Mr Colm Smyth SC said the defendant had brought €14,000 to court for compensation for the victims - €7,000 for each of the victims.

He explained that the defendant has shown deep shame and remorse and had suffered from depression.

A medical report was handed into the Court.

Mr Smyth added the defendant had pleaded guilty which avoided a trial, he has no previous convictions and since the offences, he has had an exemplary record.

A number of references were also handed into the court, including one from his employer who was present in court and a probation report which outlined he was at low risk of reoffending.

Judge John Aylmer adjourned the case until next Tuesday, May 7, 2024 and the defendant was remanded on continuing bail.