Man (67) sexually assaulted employee

February 1998

A 67-year-old County Wicklow man who sexually assaulted a young man who worked at his public house, received a two year suspended jail sentence, at Wicklow Circuit Court this week.

The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim, was convicted by the court of committing buggery and sexual assault at his business premises, on dates between July of 1993 and April of 1994.

In a written judgement in the case which was made by Judge MP Smith, who had heard the case before an earlier sitting of the Circuit Court, the defendant was told that his jail term would be suspended in light of a number of factors.

Judge Smith said that it was clear from evidence given to the court that the defendant had shown remorse for what had happened, had attended for treatment, and had paid compensation to the injured party.

He said that in making his ruling he was also having regard to the age of the defendant, and taking into account the man’s previous good record. The court was told that the sexual assaults had taken place following closing time at the public house where the victim had been working.

The defendant had been interviewed about the matter in April of 1995, and had immediately admitted to the offences.

HE subsequently attended for counselling, and participated fully in treatment sessions which he was asked to attend.

The court also heard that the defendant had paid over £20,000 in compensation to the solicitor for his victim.