Sex assault by Limerick boy, aged 14, who boasted about it afterwards to other young people

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A SEXUAL assault perpetrated by a 14-year-old Limerick boy - who then boasted about it to other young people present - was “a very serious violation of another child”, a judge has said.

The accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the female victim - also aged 14 at the time - was before Judge Colin Daly for sentencing.

He had pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

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Judge Daly, in delivering his sentence, outlined the facts of the case which were heard on an earlier date.

He said the sexual assault occurred in a public location in County Limerick on a date in 2022 where there were some 10 juveniles in attendance. The judge said both the victim and defendant were aged 14 at the time and are now both 18.

The court heard that the young girl was sitting on the defendant's lap when he put his hands down her pants, pulled her underwear while shouting to the others he had her by the thong.

“He went on to put his hand further down her pants and digitally penetrated her anus,” said Judge Daly, who added that the accused “boasted about it in a derogatory way” to the other teenagers present.

“She was naturally shocked and very upset. She managed to get away from him with the assistance of another person. A complaint was made by her and her mother. 

“She was taken to a sexual assault unit for forensic examination. She had a small anal fissure and one centimetre abrasion on her bottom,” said Judge Daly.

The judge said the victim impact statement by the now 18-year-old woman set out the long-lasting effect the sexual assault had on her mental health, how she finds it hard to trust people and how she struggled going on in school afterwards.

“The action was clearly a very serious violation of another child. Even a child at 14 knows that pulling on the underwear of a 14-year-old girl is wrong and is something simply one does not do.

“Every child is taught from a very early age to respect the private parts of another child or any person and not to touch them. The accused clearly must have known his actions were wrong and yet he went ahead and did it anyway,” said Judge Daly, who described the boasting and that it happened in a public place with so many observers as aggravating factors.

The judge, in mitigation, took into account the defendant’s age, lack of sexual education and awareness, his acknowledgement that what he did was wrong, and that it was “a somewhat spontaneous action”.

Judge Daly, in determining his sentence, also considered the plea of guilty which avoided the victim and others present having to give evidence in a trial, his extreme remorse and that he hasn’t come to garda attention since.

The judge noted if the case had come before him sooner the accused could have faced detention as a juvenile compared to imprisonment as an adult.

Judge Daly handed down a two-year prison sentence but deferred finalising the case for 12 months.

He said if the defendant continues to engage with the Probation Services, doesn’t come to garda attention and completes a number of courses, he will fully suspend the sentence. If he doesn’t comply with the conditions or comes to garda attention he is looking at a custodial sentence, said the judge.

Judge Daly said the accused remains under the threat of punishment to ensure he continues on a path of rehabilitation.

“This will ensure no other girl or young woman will have to endure the indignity from an intimate assault that she endured,” said the judge.

The case was prosecuted by Lily Buckley BL, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill. The defendant was represented by Joseph McMahon BL.

The accused was remanded on continuing bail until November 2026.

If you have been affected by this story please contact the 24 Hour Rape Crisis Helpline on 1800 778888 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800666111.