A Garda detective told a court that a counsellor who prepared a victim impact report for a sexual assault victim has had a number of convictions for gross indecency.
Ms Deirdre Murphy, for the victim, told Judge Olive Buttimer in Wexford Circuit Court that Det Garda Jim McCawl of Arklow Garda station had evidence to give to the court and his submission would be alarming.
Det Garda McCawl said that Mr Michael Byrne, from Templerainey, Arklow, acts as a guidance counsellor.
"I was here to give a character reference for the accused when I heard Mr Byrne's name mentioned as giving to the court a victim impact report for the injured party, for he had a number of previous convictions for gross indecency."
Det Garda McCawl said he was satisfied it was the same person known to him who lived in Arklow and the offences involved children.
He added that both he and other members of Arklow Garda station had expressed concern that Mr Byrne was acting as a guidance counsellor.
Also, the credentials of Dr Oliver J. Killeen, Wayburn Close, Earls Court, Waterford, had been questioned by Ms Murphy when the case opened. Dr Killeen, who syndicates a column for various provincial newspapers, was giving evidence as a psychologist, having consulted with the victim on about 20 occasions.
Under questioning from Ms Murphy, Dr Killeen said he had obtained his degree in psychology and other minor degrees from an institute in Ontario, Toronto. Dr Killeen told Ms Murphy he had practised for four years in Ireland but had not registered here, as he was deciding his future on a yearly basis.
Ms Murphy said the two reports from Dr Killeen were generalised and contained quotes from books but did not deal with the impact on the victim.
When the case resumed, Ms Murphy said her solicitor had carried out research which contradicted what Dr Killeen said about his qualifications. The institute in Ontario, she said, had no evidence of his registration since it opened in 1961.
State solicitor Mr Kevin O'Doherty tried to have Dr Killeen return to court to clarify his earlier evidence but he did not appear.
The court was dealing with a case in which a 61-year-old farmer had pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual assault and one charge of buggery. The offences took place at the defendant's farm over a six-year period.
The victim told the court: "Compensation is not an issue. I never wanted compensation, all I want is for that man to go to prison." Judge Buttimer remanded the defendant in custody to Dungarvan Circuit Court on July 24th.
When contacted yesterday by the Irish Times, Dr Killeen said he had nothing to say at this time.