Former GAA Referee Sentenced To Six Years And Nine Months For Abuse Of Niece

Thomas Howard pleaded guilty to a number of charges.

A high profile former GAA referee has been given a six year and nine month sentence for indecently assaulting his niece when she was a child.

79 year old Thomas Howard of Old Kilcullen, County Kildare received his sentence in Portlaoise District Court yesterday.

Mr Howard pleaded guilty to a number of charges relating to assault and coercement of Maeve Leahy over a ten year period, after a trial in Tullamore last month.

Ms Leahy, who is waiving her right to anonymity to name her abuser, said she came forward because the years of abuse were "destroying her".

The Irish Independent is reporting Judge Sinead McMullen issued three sentences, with the first two to run concurrently, and the third consecutively.

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