A 79-year-old retired businessman was given a suspended sentence for indecently assaulting three of his granddaughters at Kilkenny Circuit Court yesterday. Judge Olive Buttimer said the accused had abused his position of trust and his actions had a devastating effect on the victims.
However, she had to take into consideration the fact that he had been ostracised by his family, had pleaded guilty, was elderly and in poor health.
The case had been adjourned from November when the court heard that the abuse had started when the girls were around five or six and had continued until they were in their late teens. On each of seven charges of indecent assault, the man was given a two-year suspended sentence.