A 40-year-old man who molested his then 13-year-old nephew and e-mailed naked photographs of the teenager to an acquaintance has been jailed for three years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The south Dublin man who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and distribution of the photographs, as well as six charges of sexual assault on dates between November 1st, 1993 and November 27th, 1994.
Judge Desmond Hogan refused to accept a sum of money defence counsel Luigi Rea said his client wished to give to charity as compensation for his actions.
The judge said this offer "added insult to injury" to the victim and his family. The offences occurred as a result of a "breach of trust" perpetrated by someone in the victim's extended family whom he had trusted. Not only had the sexual assaults been committed but photographs of the injured party were also taken and kept.
Judge Hogan suspended the last 12 months on condition he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for a period of three years. The judge further ordered that he should continue to comply with the requirements of the Granada Institute (for sex offenders) and the probation services upon his release from prison.
Mr Rea said his client was glad he was caught because he said he could now deal with "the passion that gripped him, but a passion that is illegal".