Judgewantsto seevictim

A 63-year-old former café owner convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage boy, has had the case further adjourned.

Last October, Thomas Connaughton, Derryheege, Magheracloone, Co. Monaghan, was found guilty of the offence.

He had denied grabbing a 15-year-old boy ‘by the crotch area’, on 18 July, 2016.

It occurred in Connaughton’s premises, the Chestnut Café, Long Walk, Dundalk.

The matter was adjourned on that occasion to 7 February, 2018, for a probation report on the defendant, and a victim impact statement.

Last week, Connaughton attended Dundalk court with his wife and daughter.

Four testimonials on his behalf were handed up to Judge Coughlan. These included letters from his GP and daughter.

Solicitor Niall Lavery said they detail the life of a hard-working man, totally dedicated to his family.

Throughout the original hearing, he maintained his innocence of an allegation of groping, and the probation service’s hands are therefore tied, Mr. Lavery continued.

He said there are no significant lasting consequences for the victim, who is satisfied it is over, and would glean huge comfort from the matter being finalised.

The solicitor submitted this was at the lowest end of the scale, although he was not downplaying the seriousness of the charge.

His client led a blameless life before and since this incident.

The judge remarked the problem he has is that Thomas Connaughton put a young boy through the whole process of a court case.

‘I want to be fair to the victim and to the defendant. This is not to be taken lightly.’

He decided to adjourn the matter to 28 February next, and asked that the injured party and his parents be present on that date.