The Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday increased some sentences imposed on a former church sacristan who engaged in what was described as 25 years of serial sex abuse of young children in the north Wexford area.
Thomas Byrne (58), single, of Gorey, Co Wexford, had pleaded guilty to 11 sample charges out of more than 30 alleged offences. He was sentenced at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court on July 12th, 2000, to five years' imprisonment on each of four counts of buggery and to two years on three indecent assault and four sexual assault charges against four boys from 1971 to 1997.
Byrne, a former youth club leader and caretaker of Gorey's old folks' centre, committed some of the offences in the centre.
One victim had attempted suicide, the court heard.
When Byrne appeared before the appeal court yesterday, Mr Justice Geoghegan, sitting with Ms Justice Carroll and Mr Justice Butler, increased the five-year sentences to seven years and the two-year sentences to three years.
The case was before the court through an application by Mr Anthony Sammon SC, for the DPP, against the leniency of sentence imposed.
Increasing the sentences, Mr Justice Geoghegan said the court would recommend that the accused receive treatment appropriate for his condition.