A 20-year-old south Tipperary man has been given a three-year suspended sentence for the unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 15. The man pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to three charges of the unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl at three different places on dates between January and April 1997. Mr Justice Carney said the alleged victim was twelve-and-a-half years of age.
He said it was inevitable sexual intercourse would take place due to the times they were living in and because the alleged victim was simply "out of control" and staying out all night.
He had to consider that if a custodial sentence was imposed another life would be destroyed.