Boxing coach admits abusing five boys

One of the country's most successful amateur boxing coaches has pleaded guilty to abusing five teenage boys.

Frank Mulligan, 64, from Smithboro in Co Monaghan faces a possible sentence of life imprisonment for the offences, which took place while he was coaching the young men.

He has admitted buggery of three boys and sexual assault and indecent assault of another two on dates between 1989 and 2002.

The court heard he made some of his victims pray before and after the sex attacks and told them it was "God's will".

One victim was taken back to his home for sports massages after training or before a fight. Others told how he prayed while abusing them.

Another suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and flashbacks which can be triggered by religion and prayer.

The court heard that the founding member of the Smithboro Boxing Club had 'been in complete denial' about himself and the offences and rejected all allegations made during a garda investigation.

However, after being convicted of abusing two other boys last year there was a 'complete turnaround' and he had since admitted to abusing five others.

The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard he fought his first trial 'tooth and nail' and appealed the verdict. Gardaí said he had not yet shown remorse for his actions.

However, his lawyers told the court that for the first time he was now realising the devastation his actions had caused his victims and was feeling remorse.

One of his victims told the court that his family had been torn apart by the abuse he suffered. He now suffers from depression and had difficulty maintaining employment and relationships. The victim said he had attempted suicide and had self-harmed.

The man wept in the witness box as he said it had destroyed his life and he no longer participated in boxing or any sport unless it was a solo activity.

The court was told that Mulligan was a serious alcoholic who suffered from depression. He had replaced alcohol with an obsessive interest in religion and could be found wandering the streets of Monaghan praying.

His reputation and fame associated with the boxing club was now gone and there was hardly a person in Monaghan who did not revile his name, his lawyers told the court.

Judge Katherine Delahunt adjourned sentence to 1 December to allow time to read psychological reports and victim impact statements.