A man in his 70s has pleaded guilty to a number of sample charges of the sexual assault of a girl over a two year period starting when she was just eight years old.
The man cannot be named so as to protect the identity of the victim in the case.
The incidents all happened between 2014 and 2016 in the man’s van when he took the girl on various journeys.
The accused pleaded guilty to eight sample charges when he appeared at Donegal Circuit Court.
The man was not related to the girl but knew her father through his business.
All the cases involved the man kissing the girl using his tongue with the incidents happening twice a month on average over the two year period.
The incidents would happen when the man and the child were in his van on trips to various places including Letterkenny, Killybegs and Enniskillen.
The assaults came to light when the accused called to the girl’s home and she confided in an aunt who told the girl’s mother.
The victim read out her own victim impact statement in court and told of the impact the assaults had had on her.
She told how she never realised how serious the incidents were until later and how it impacted her both mentally and emotionally.
She added that she was in a relationship but had to end it because of all the flashbacks she was suffering.
The accused took to the stand and apologised to the girl who is now a teenager and who was siting at the back of the court with her father.
He said he was “really sorry” for what he had done but said it was “no sexual attempt” but stressed that everything was his fault.
He added that he was ashamed of his behaviour.
His barrister, Mr Colm Smyth, SC, said his client appreciated that the assaults might not be at the higher end of the scale but accepted that it has caused serious harm to his victim and her immediate family.
He added that the accused has no previous convictions, that his family rely on him and he has not come to the attention of Gardai since.
The court was told that the man is due to have an operation in the coming weeks but does not know the exact date.
Judge John Aylmer asked the man’s legal team to find out when exactly the operation is so he can arrange to have the sentence finalised.