A 22-year-old Co Clare woman yesterday told of her feelings of guilt that she had not told anyone earlier of the activities of her uncle so as to prevent him sexually assaulting other girls.
The woman, one of seven victims of assaults, was at Ennis Circuit Court, where her uncle pleaded guilty to 10 counts of sexual assault and 13 counts of indecent assault over a 26-year period. All the victims are nieces of the accused.
The woman said a complaint was made against her uncle in September 1997 by a 17-year-old cousin. She said she was very depressed and was taking medication and receiving counselling because of the abuse she suffered between the ages of nine and 17. The 17-year-old who made the initial complaint told the court: "I feel disgusted, and nobody should have to go through something like that."
The court heard that the 52-year-old man was arrested in November 1997 after the first complaint. The girl's mother discussed the complaint with her family, and two other daughters said they had been sexually abused. The matter was then brought to the attention of the extended family and four more nieces said they had also been victims.
According to the investigating garda, the accused made admissions in relation to all his nieces except one. While he could not remember offences in relation to that girl, he did not deny them. The garda told the court the accused referred to his actions as "horseplay". The garda added that the accused, a father of three, did not show much remorse and was more concerned about the impact any charges would have on his own family. He said he had lost the support of all his family except his wife, who was standing by him.
The court heard that the man, who has since lost his job, had no previous convictions.
Judge Kevin Haugh remanded the accused in custody to Ennis Circuit Court on December 16th to give time for a psychiatric assessment and victim impact statements.