A South Dublin music teacher has had his prison sentence for sexually assaulting two young girls who attended lessons at his home suspended on strict conditions.
The 65-year-old married man cannot be named by order of Judge Kieran O'Connor, who also prohibited the publication of photographs or other material which might identify him.
Mr George Birmingham SC, prosecuting, earlier submitted to Judge O'Connor that he had no jurisdiction to direct anonymity for the defendant.
Mr Birmingham said the legislation only protected the identity of victims in sexual cases and the court had been given clear evidence that naming him would not identify the victims. That was the firm view of the victims last year and remained so now.
The father of one victim said he had the utmost sympathy for the man's family but wanted him named as the only sure way to be certain he could not repeat offending when released.
Judge O'Connor said he made his original order to protect the defendant's family who were innocent victims of his wrongdoing and who had been punished greatly by his it. He was making his prohibition order again for that reason.
He said the defendant's family have had to uproot from their home to another area and one of his children had been very adversely affected.
The man pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal in November 1998 to three charges of sexually assaulting the girls, then aged eight and nine, on dates in 1994 and 1995.
Judge O'Connor told the defendant he was releasing him now under strict conditions including that he stay away from his former residence and avoided any contact with the victims. That included staying out of areas where they go to school.
He must also participate in a course for treatment of sexual offenders at the Granada Institute.
Judge O'Connor noted he would not get such treatment in prison until he was near the end of his sentence but it was available to him now outside prison at the institute.
"There is a better prospect for his rehabilitation if he is released now otherwise he could offend again if he is not treated," said Judge O'Connor.
Judge O'Connor also placed him under probation supervision and directed that he return to the court on June 1st next for further review of the case. He warned him that if he broke any of the conditions he would be returned to jail immediately.