Thomas Howard (79) appeared before Judge Sinéad McMullen at Tullamore Circuit Court, where the court heard details of the abuse of his niece, Maeve Leahy, during the mid-1980s and 1990s.
A man from Old Kilcullen - who is also a well-known former GAA referee - has been told he faces a prison sentence for the prolonged indecent assault of his niece, beginning when she was just three or four years old and continuing until she reached puberty.
Thomas Howard (79) appeared before Judge Sinéad McMullen at Tullamore Circuit Court, where the court heard details of the abuse of his niece, Maeve Leahy, during the mid-1980s and 1990s.
According to reporting by Journalist Conor Feehan in the Irish Independent, Ms Leahy, now aged 46, told the court she decided to come forward after years of remaining silent because the abuse had been “destroying” her.
Judge McMullen remanded Howard on continuing bail and said he should expect a custodial sentence when the case resumes for final sentencing next month.
In mitigation, defence counsel Carl Hanahoe said Howard had expressed genuine remorse, written a letter of apology to Ms Leahy, entered a guilty plea, and had no previous convictions.
Mr Hanahoe told the court that Howard’s advanced age should also be taken into account, noting that any custodial sentence would represent “a significant portion of what remains of his life.”
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