A former Scout leader and GAA coach was jailed for three years today for forcing an 11 year old boy to perform oral sex on him after initially abusing the youth at a scout camp while ghost stories were being told.
John O'Leary (42) from Clontarf Estate, Blackrock, Cork, will serve only half of the sentence as the last 18 months were suspended by presiding judge, Patrick J Moran.
Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that O'Leary's assaults on an 11-year-old boy in the 1970s while he was head of a Scout troop left the victim feeling "stained for life."
Mr O'Leary pleaded guilty last November at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to five counts of indecent assault against the boy at a disused quarry, a Scout hall and a Scout camp during the late 1970s.
Counsel for the State, Mr Alice Fawsitt, said yesterday friends of the defendant had managed to raise €30,000 in compensation for the victim. The money was handed over to his solicitor in two installments.
Father of two, John O'Leary, said in evidence today that he was ashamed of his conduct and concerned at the devastating impact recent revelations have had on his family.
He told the court he pleaded guilty to the charges straight away in order to avoid putting the victim through the "media circus" of a trial. He said he hoped the finalisation of the case would give the victim some sort of closure.
Defence counsel, Mr Ray Boland, acknowledged the serious nature of the charges but said there were a number of mitigating factors to take in to consideration namely the compensation paid, the guilty plea and reports which indicated that the accused was unlikely to re-offend.
Mr Justice Moran said the victim in the case had experienced a great deal of trauma because of the abuse inflicted on him. He stated he accepted the defendant had pleaded guilty and that there was no likelihood of him re-offending.