Robert Kennedy (45) pleaded guilty to seven charges at Naas Circuit Court
A sports referee from Newbridge has been jailed for three years for sexually abusing a boy.
According to the Irish Times, Robert Kennedy (45), Allenview Heights, Newbridge, pleaded guilty at Naas Circuit Court to seven charges including possession of child pornography, use of information technology to facilitate sexual exploitation and meeting a child for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
At a previous court hearing, Det Garda Shane Donnelly said the victim was aged between 15 and 17 years at the time of the offences, which were alleged to have taken place on dates between March 2018 and April 2019.
It was claimed Kennedy met the teenager on one occasion to have sexual intercourse and he had child pornography on a mobile phone.
It was also alleged he gave or promised to give money to the victim to purchase clothing or items he needed for sport.
Judge Gerard Griffin said there was a grave breach of trust because of the defendant’s position as a referee.
He also noted that there was a moderate risk of reoffending. He also said the court had regard for the fact that Kennedy, who had been in the Defence Forces for 20 years, had no previous convictions and there was an early guilty plea in the case.
He imposed concurrent five year sentences, with the final two years suspended subject to a number of conditions.
Kfm Weekend Obituary Notices
Two Men Charged In Connection With €4 Million Cocaine Seizure In Kildare And Wexford
Driving Testers At RSA Balloted For Industrial Action Over Concerns About Uninsured Vehicles
Homes Undelivered After Substantial Deposits Paid, Kildare Council Warns Of Potential Unauthorised Works
Over 1,000 E-Scooter Fines Issued As Kildare TD Calls For Tougher Penalties After Child Injured
Celbridge "Affordable" Homes Come With Council Equity Stakes
M4 Access Road To Castletown Will Reopen Next Week
Lucan Woman Pleads Guilty To Sending Threatening Messages To Tanaiste
