A Dublin man described by a judge as a "psycho-sexual timebomb" who took pornographic photographs of two teenage relatives he sexually abused has had his sentence adjourned on bail for a year. Mr Michael O'Higgins, prosecuting, told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that a degree of sophistication and pre-planning had been involved in the abuse.
The defendant had kept toys in his shed to entice the victims to go inside and had laid one of the boys on a rug while abusing him in his workplace. In May 1987 the defendant was convicted of gross indecency for taking indecent pictures of a young boy.
The 44-year-old father of three pleaded guilty to four charges of indecently assaulting his brotherin-law from 1977 to 1982. He also admitted sexually assaulting another young relative in the early 1990s.
Judge Joseph Mathews said the case might never have seen the light of day in court but for an "apologia" the man wrote to the first victim admitting responsibility and asking for forgiveness.
The judge said this was a "cri de coeur from a shattered man" who needed to continue the counselling he was presently undergoing. Such a counselling structure would not be available in prison until 1999.
The defendant had caused much misery to the innocent victims and their families, as well as his own wife and children. His marriage had ended as a result of the revelations. "But it is my belief that his apologia puts him in a category that deserves compassion. I believe he may be in a better condition following counsel ling and advice," he said.
The case was adjourned on bail to October 30th, 1998, under strict conditions. The defendant gave a number of sworn undertakings, including one not to involve himself with children's activities or to be alone with minors.
Mr Shane Murphy, defending, said his client now accepted he had offended against the boys, who were entirely innocent. He also accepted the abuse had affected them psychologically.