A 54-year-old man who repeatedly sexually assaulted his children's teenage babysitter has been jailed for six years.
Martin O'Brien, of Gurrane, Belclare, Tuam, Co Galway, pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual assault on dates between 1 June 2012 and February 2014.
Prosecuting counsel Carl Hanahoe told the Central Criminal Court that the victim, Áine McHugh, who was aged 16-17 at the time, wishes to waive her anonymity.
She read her victim impact statement at a previous hearing in July, during which she described O’Brien "as sub-human, a monster and master manipulator" who violated her in every way possible while she cared for his children.
At that hearing, prosecuting counsel Timothy O’Leary said that Ms McHugh would often be left speaking to O'Brien when he and his wife returned from a night out and he would give her alcohol.
She later told gardaí that she would stay over in the house, sleeping on the sitting room couch and O'Brien would sexually assault her there, while his wife and children slept upstairs.
On two occasions he sexually assaulted her in two different local pubs after she happened to see him on a night out.
Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo said that Ms McHugh was "a gifted and enthusiastic" traditional musician who O'Brien recruited to babysit his children.
The judge noted from her victim impact statement that the assaults greatly affected her and that she had described them as "progressively killing me from the inside out".
He noted that she could not apply herself to her studies and struggled with her Leaving Certificate and that she did not attend her debs.
Mr Justice Naidoo set a headline sentence of nine-and-a-half years having taken into account aggravating features of the case including that the assaults were accompanied by "demeaning and hurtful comments".
He also noted that the abuse happened in O'Brien’s home and that he had been in a position of trust at the time.
Remorse 'not entirely genuine' - judge
Mr Justice Nadioo acknowledged that he admitted the offending and made an expression of remorse - both in evidence at a previous hearing and in the form of a letter - but the judge said he did not accept the remorse was "entirely genuine" based on comments O'Brien made to his probation officer.
The judge also acknowledged that there were a number of testimonials before the court, including from a former babysitter for the family, who described the accused as kind and considerate.
He accepted evidence that O'Brien’s wife gave at an earlier hearing in which she said he was a good husband and father and an essential source of support to her as she is dealing with a serious illness.
"He is fortunate that his family and friends are happy to stand by him," Mr Justice Naidoo said before he accepted that he would find his time in prison more difficult given his wife’s illness.
The judge also acknowledged evidence that there have been posters around the local area in relation to O'Brien and while he said that this cannot go towards mitigation, the court does not approve of such actions.
Mr Justice Naidoo imposed a six-and-a-half year term, suspending the final six months on strict conditions including that he engage with the Probation Service for 12 months "in the hope that it will help him gain insight into the impact on the victim".
O'Brien has a previous conviction for multiple sexual assault offences against a ten-year-old child when he was between 13 and 14 years old. This conviction is under appeal.
He was given an eight-month suspended sentence and ordered to pay to the €16,000 to that victim.
'Please tell an adult you trust', Áine McHugh says in statement
"I am Áine McHugh and I have waived my right to anonymity because I no longer carry feelings of guilt or shame.
"Today, I return all guilt and shame back to where it belongs, to Martin O'Brien, who forced this suffering on me and later my parents and family.
"Sexual abuse manifests and festers in silence, I know because I suffered in silence. Secrets and silence enable the perpetrators.
"To the adults who stay silent and decide to ignore or look the other way: that guilt and shame also belongs to you.
"I want to speak to every child or teenager who has suffered or is suffering sexual abuse, if you can hear me, please know that you have done nothing wrong. There is nothing wrong with you.
"Please tell an adult you trust. To the adults who may receive their disclosure: please listen, help them and do the right thing.
"I never thought that I would be free of this, but I have survived, and I feel free today. He no longer controls my life.
"I will be forever grateful to those who sought justice before me. Their bravery and the courage of their convictions gave me hope in my darkest days.
"I would also like to thank the detectives and gardaí in the Galway Divisional Protective Services Unit, as well as the Galway and Dublin Rape Crisis Centres for their dedication, professionalism, and support."
