Wicklow man (78) to be sentenced for sexual assaults on granddaughter in Ireland and Spain

Seán McCárthaigh

An elderly Wicklow man is to be sentenced later this year for repeatedly sexually assaulting his granddaughter in both Ireland and Spain over a five-year period.

The 78-year-old accused appeared before a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court to be arraigned on various charges of sexually assaulting his young relative on unknown dates between July 2018 and May 2024.

The court heard that the accused is facing a total of over 50 charges, but was arraigned on just five counts.

The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting his granddaughter on five occasions, which took place at a number of addresses in Co Wicklow as well as in his vehicle at unknown locations in Ireland.

One of the charges also related to a sexual assault on the young girl at an address in the south-east of Spain on an unknown date in May 2024.

Defence counsel, Colman FitzGerald SC, told the court that the accused has been living in Spain in recent years but that he had returned voluntarily to Ireland to be interviewed by gardaí and for his court appearance.

Mr FitzGerald applied for the accused to be remanded on bail on the same terms as before.

Counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, said there was no objection from gardaí for the accused to be allowed to return to Spain.

Judge John Martin rejected an application by Mr FitzGerald for a probation report to be prepared.

The judge remanded the accused on continuing bail to early October to fix a date for his sentencing hearing.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.