A TIPPERARY man will be sentenced next Monday after pleading guilty to the rape and sexual abuse of three children.
The abuse happened over a 35-year period against three members of his extended family who were between seven and 11 years old. Séamus O’Neill (66), Newcastle, Ballynamona, pleaded guilty to rape, indecent assault and sexual assault of the three children between 1965 and 2000.
The most recent case of abuse happened in 2000 against a young female relative of O’Neill’s, who complained to gardaí last year.
Two other relatives then came forward with complaints of rape and abuse throughout their childhoods. All three victims waived their right to anonymity so O’Neill could be named.
Det Garda Dermot Fitzgerald told David Humphries, prosecuting, that O’Neill got into his last victim’s bed when she was seven years old. The girl told her mother the next day but a complaint was not made to gardaí because the family were worried about the shame it would bring to Mr O’Neill’s elderly mother.
Det Garda Fitzgerald said a female relative now in her 50s was raped by O’Neill when she was between eight and 10 years old between January 1st, 1965, and December 31st, 1966.
She told him to stop but he threatened to tell her parents that she had been late for school.
Another case of abuse happened in 1984 against a male relative of O’Neill.
Michael Delaney, defending, said O’Neill wanted to apologise to his victims.
Mr Justice Paul Carney adjourned sentencing to next week.