A former sports coach and Community Games organiser from Co Wicklow, who is aged in his 90s, has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting four young girls in Arklow over 30 years ago.
James O'Reilly, 91, a retired painter and decorator with an address at Fernhill in Arklow, appeared before Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court to go on trial for a series of alleged sexual offences relating to his role as a gymnastics instructor in the early 1990s.
O’Reilly, who is confined to a wheelchair, had pleaded not guilty when arraigned yesterday to a total of eight charges of indecent or sexual assault and one charge of attempted sexual assault at St Mary’s College sports hall in Arklow in relation to four young females whom he trained.
However, the accused was re-arraigned after the court was informed that O’Reilly would plead guilty to four counts on a "full facts" basis following discussions with his legal team.
A jury of seven women and five men had been sworn in to hear the case at Bray Courthouse before O’Reilly pleaded guilty to a single offence of indecent or sexual assault in relation to each of his four victims.
The offences occurred on dates unknown between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1994.
Several of the victims, who are in their 40s and were due to give evidence at the trial, fought back tears as they heard their former gymnastics instructor change his plea and admit his guilt.
Senior Counsel for the defendant, Maurice Coffey, asked the judge to put the matter back to a later date for sentencing.
Mr Coffey said it was clear that his client was a man of advanced age who was blind and had hearing difficulties.
The barrister said O’Reilly lived alone and had carers, including some family members, but he was still living "in difficult circumstances."
Mr Coffey acknowledged that the court was anxious that there would be no further delay in the case.
However, he said he wanted two medical reports and some other matters to be prepared in advance of a sentencing hearing.
"I’ve no doubt the victims and the State are also anxious to bring the matter further," Mr Coffey added.
Judge Patrick Quinn observed that the accused’s admission of guilt had "come as a relief" to his victims.
He directed that O’Reilly could be publicly identified after counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, James Kelly, informed the court that his victims wanted the accused to be named following his guilty pleas.
The judge also directed that victim impact statements should be prepared for the case.
Judge Quinn remanded O’Reilly on continuing bail to 29 April next to fix a date for a sentencing hearing.
The accused, who is also a grandfather, used to run a club for training gymnasts at St Mary’s College over several decades with his late wife, Sadie, who died in December 2021.
O’Reilly, originally from Mullingar, Co Westmeath, also acted as secretary and public relations officer for the Community Games in Arklow since 1978.
Although he became fully blind in 1996, he continued to participate in organising training and competitions for the games until he stood down in 2022.
