A 61-year-old Connemara man who sexually abused his younger siblings when they were all children has received prison sentences totalling five years.

Galway Circuit Court heard Denis Laffey committed the abuse against his brother John (58) and sister Patricia (56), who both waived their right to anonymity.

The court heard Denis Laffey started to an abuse his brother when John was aged 11 and Patricia when she was 9.

The abuse came to light when both siblings made formal statements to Gardaí in February and April 2020.

Denis Laffey, with an address at Culfin, Renvyle, pleaded guilty to eight sample counts of indecent assault committed at the then family home at Culfin, Renvyle, on various dates between 1977 and May 1980.

The court was told the offences were committed when Denis Laffey was between the ages of 14 and 17.

Judge Brian O’Callaghan imposed two consecutive sentences of three years each, with the final 12 months suspended.

In sentencing, he said the accused had pleaded guilty to the most serious of offences, the impact and consequences of which would likely continue into the future.

He said the court wanted to thank John and Patricia Laffey for their victim impact statement and the guidance and assistance they provided to the court.

The judge said in each case, the assaults became more “severe and progressive”, “forceful” and “aggressive”.

“The frightening and disquieting aspect to this is that we are dealing with children,” the judge added.

Judge O’Callaghan said it was also a striking feature of the case that despite the best efforts of the probation services and a psychologist, the accused could not provide an explanation for what he did.

He continued: “The harm done here, to put it mildly, was significant. It was very substantial. It had a gross negative impact on the lives of John and Patricia”.

Judge O’Callaghan said the court noted the accused has no convictions prior or previous to this offending and that it was not until the trial was about to commence “that he put his hands up”.

He said a probation report also put the accused at a low risk of reoffending.

The aggravating factors included the “level and progressive nature” of the harm done to “vulnerable young people”.

He said it was the court’s view that a custodial sentence was warranted.

In his plea in mitigation, defence barrister, Bernard Madden SC, said his client was a married father who worked as a landscaper and farmer.

He said that in sentencing the court must take into account his client’s young age and immaturity at the time of the offences.

The maximum sentences for indecent assault at the time the offences were committed was two years on each count, the court heard.

Counsel said the guilty plea was of “considerable benefit” as it spared the victims from being re-traumatised as a result of a trial.

Caption: Galway Courthouse

This court case appeared in the Connacht Tribune edition of November 6 2024.