A 36-year-old self-confessed paedophile, who sexually assaulted an eight-year-old girl and took video images of her while she was undressing, has been jailed for three years at Limerick Circuit Court.
Tony Keogh from Moyross in Limerick pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexually assaulting the young girl between January 2005 and October 2006.
Keogh has two previous convictions for sexual offences.
The court heard the girl was assaulted in his house while he and his partner were babysitting her.
His partner was related to the victim's mother.
The girl also found a video camera in a shoebox in her room, which was recording her while she undressed.
Her mother eventually found out about the abuse when she read her daughter's diary.
Gardaí were called and the accused man eventually admitted his guilt.
The court also heard from psychologist Dr Davina Walsh of the Grenada Institute that Keogh had attended there for therapy but was not committed to it.
She said he had returned for further therapy last year.
Judge Carrol Moran said the abuse had gone on for two years. He said the accused man was in a position of trust and he had corrupted the young girl.
He imposed a six year sentence, but suspended the final three years.
He also placed Keogh on the sex offender's register for life.
The victim's family reacted angrily when the sentence was handed down.
Her grandfather shouted at the judge and the girl's father ran at the accused man and attempted to assault him.
Judge Carrol Moran said he understood the passion behind what had happened, but he had to do justice as best he could to the victim the victims family and the accused.
