A MAN HAS pleaded guilty to nine sample counts of sexually abusing his two young sisters and a niece over a five-year period.
The man (42), who may not be named in order to protect the identity of his victims, pleaded guilty before Galway Circuit Criminal Court to the indecent and sexual assault of the three girls.
The girls were aged between nine and 12 years at the time, between 1987 and 1992 at a Co Galway location.
Defence barrister John Hogan said the facts in the remaining 32 sample charges were admitted.
He applied for sentencing to be adjourned for a lengthy period so that his client could receive treatment first at the Granada Institute, for which there was a long waiting list.
Mr Hogan also applied to the court to have reporting restrictions continued.
Judge Raymond Groarke adjourned sentencing to May 20th next for the preparation of victim impact reports and he placed the accused on the sex offenders register.
The judge said he was not going to adjourn sentencing for a lengthy period of time so that the accused could get treatment but only for as long as it would take to get the necessary reports.
Mr Hogan said he would need a probation report on his client and a report from the Granada Institute.
Judge Groarke adjourned the matter to May 20th for the preparation of a probation report.
He said it was up to the accused to furnish other reports if he wanted to.
Mr Hogan asked again for the continuation of reporting restrictions.
Judge Groarke said it was not a matter for the accused to be making such an application as it was none of his business.
State solicitor Conor Fahy said reporting restrictions should continue until further notice.
Judge Groarke then agreed to restrict publication of the accused man’s name.