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Westmeath Man Pleads Guilty To Historic Sexual Assaults

Thursday, 6 February 2025 13:34

James O’Reilly, of Fernhill, Arklow, Wicklow pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault.

A former sports coach and Community Games organiser, originally from Mullingar, who is now aged in his 90s, has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting four young girls in Arklow over 30 years ago.

James O’Reilly (91), a retired painter and decorator with an address at Fernhill, Arklow, Wicklow, appeared before a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday to go on trial for a series of alleged sexual offences relating to his role as a gymnastics instructor in the early 1990s.

O’Reilly, a widower with two children who is confined to a wheelchair, had pleaded not guilty when arraigned the previous day to a total of eight charges of indecent or sexual assault and one charge of attempted sexual assault at St Mary’s College Sports Hall in Arklow in relation to four young females whom he trained.

However, the accused was re-arraigned on Wednesday after the court was informed that O’Reilly would plead guilty to four counts on a “full facts” basis following discussions with his legal team.

In front of a jury of seven women and five men who had been sworn in to hear the trial at Bray courthouse, O’Reilly then pleaded guilty to a single offence of indecent or sexual assault in relation to each of his four victims.

The offences occurred on dates unknown between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1994.

Several of the victims, who are now aged in their 40s and were due to give evidence at the trial, fought back tears as they heard their former gymnastics instructor change his plea and admit his guilt.

Counsel for the defendant, Maurice Coffey SC, asked the judge to put the matter back to a later date for sentencing.

Mr Coffey said it was clear that his client was a man of advanced age who was blind and had hearing difficulties.

The barrister said O’Reilly lived alone and had carers including some family members but he was still living “in difficult circumstances.

Mr Coffey acknowledged that the court was anxious that there would be no further delay in the case.

However, he said he wanted two medical reports and some other matters to be prepared in advance of a sentencing hearing.

“I’ve no doubt the victims and the State are also anxious to bring the matter further,” added Mr Coffey.

Judge Patrick Quinn observed that the accused’s admission of guilt had “come as a relief” to his victims.

He directed that O’Reilly could be publicly identified after counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, informed the court that his victims wanted the accused to be named following his guilty pleas.

The judge also directed that victim impact statements should be prepared for the case.

Judge Quinn remanded O’Reilly on continuing bail to April 29 next to fix a date for a sentencing hearing.

The accused, who is also a grandfather, used to run a club for training gymnasts at St Mary’s College Sports Hall in Arklow over several decades with his late wife, Sadie, who died in December 2021.

O’Reilly, who comes originally from Mullingar, Co Westmeath, also acted as secretary and PRO for the Community Games in Arklow since 1978.

Although he became fully blind in 1996, he continued to participate in organising training and competitions for the Community Games until he stood down in 2022.

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