Man who asked for sexual act from two teens placed on Sex Offenders Register
Judge Sean MacBride.
A 55-year-old father-of-three has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register when he pleaded guilty at Virginia District Court to sexually assaulting two teenage girls earlier this year.
He was also sentenced to three months suspended on him entering his own bond €127 to keep the peace for two years. The defendant was also directed to attend for psycho/sexual therapy as well as appropriate medical treatment. A sum of €1,000 was also to be given to the teenagers (€500 each) towards their education. He pleaded guilty to the offences.
Inspector Martin Beggy told the court that the girls were aged 15 and 17 at the time and they met the defendant in an alley way. They asked him to get cigarettes for them. He agreed to do so but asked one of them to perform a sexual act on him (masturbation). The girls said no but gave him the money.
The defendant went to the shop and the girls followed him.
He came back down the alley way and again asked them to perform a sexual act on him. The defendant then put his hand forward as if to shake their hands but pulled one of the girls towards him and attempted to kiss her. He was pushed away. The girls ran away and he followed them. He propositioned them again.
He got into his car and asked them if they wanted a lift. The defendant didn't leave immediately and drove up and down three or four times before departing. CCTV was examined and he was identified.
Defence solicitor Martin Cosgrove said he was not trying to make light of the matter but the defendant went to the gardai and gave a detailed statement to them. He was married with three children. The defendant had been in business for 15 years but lost it and hit the drink.
Judge Sean MacBride said he was concerned that it was not just one occasion he asked for the sexual act but two. "One of the girls was only 15-years-old."
The defendant forcibly tried to kiss one of them on the lips. "Thank God she was able to push him away."
When the girls left he followed them and got into his car and then proceeded to drive up and down before he went home. He even invited the girls into is car. "There is no way I cannot direct that he be placed on the Sex Offenders Register."
Judge MacBride stated he had to protect the two girls. "There would be outrage nationally if I didn't put him on the register for sex offenders." It was a tragic case and Judge MacBride was disturbed by the defendant's behaviour. The defendant should have gone to his doctor and discussed his issues with him.
"There is something very macabre about this." He should not be buying cigarettes for young girls either, he added. The court had to have concern for the young girls.
"I would be failing in my duty if I didn't protect these young girls." Children are God's gift, he stated. The best he could do was impose a suspended sentence and he was satisfied from what he had heard that there would be no repeat.
