A radio researcher was jailed for six months in Dublin Circuit Court yesterday on five counts of sexual assault involving children between the ages of seven and 12.
John O'Leary (39), of Morehampton Road, Dublin, deceived his elderly parents and doctor by pretending he was taking tablets prescribed to quell his physical desires, Judge Liam Devally was told.
His counsel, Mr Damien Colgan, said when the deception was discovered he was prescribed injections of the drug, which were administered fortnightly by his doctor.
Mr Colgan said O'Leary had been sentenced to eight months' imprisonment in the District Court and was appealing the severity of sentence.
Sgt Ivan Howlin, Shankill, said O'Leary, known as "the jogger", had 16 previous convictions, including sexual assaults on young children. His modus operandi was to approach children aged between seven and 12 and engage them in conversation.
"He would indicate he had either lost a dog or a football in a park area and invite them to assist him in the search," Sgt Howlin said. "When he would get them in the park he would engage in sexually orientated assaults by exposing his private parts and engaging in indecent type of contact with the children."
Mr Colgan said O'Leary had been a FAS-sponsored researcher with Radio Anna Livia until funding ran out, and he had been told there would be a position available to him when he was released from prison.
"I would ask you to be as lenient as possible with him," Mr Colgan said. "The incidents complained of occurred in 1995 and, despite his deception, he has tried his best. It would seem when he has matters almost under control he is unable to go the last mile."
Judge Devally said he could not overlook O'Leary's non-compliance with medication. Reducing the eight-month sentence to six, he told O'Leary's parents, who were in court with him, that while they had a cross to bear there was little he could do about it.