BREAKING: Elderly Tipperary man jailed for ten years for sexual abuse

An 89-year-old Tipperary man who sexually abused a young girl has been jailed for ten years.

Sid Green of Kennedy Park, Roscrea, was convicted of 22 counts of rape and one count of sexual assault of the child, on dates between 1993 and 1998.

READ MORE: GAA Handball President opens new handball courts at Tipperary club

He has no previous convictions.

The injured party indicated to the court at a previous hearing that she has no issue with Green being named but she does not wish to be identified.

She told the court how the damaging effects of the abuse had been “far reaching and enduring” and had affected every facet of her existence.

The court heard defence submissions that Green, who has recently been resident in a Co Offaly nursing home, has medical issues that would make custody difficult for him.

He has been on bail and appeared via video link from the nursing home for his sentence hearings.

The prison service have indicated that they will be able to take Green into custody on July 10 next and will be able to accommodate his medical needs.

Passing sentence today, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath said these were “appalling offences,” noting that Green coldly engaged in a cynical campaign of rape which he perpetrated whenever the opportunity arose.

He noted that there has been no remorse shown.

Mr Justice McGrath noted the profound impact the offending has had on the woman’s life.

He said she is a young woman who has shown remarkable resilience and strength, and he commended her for the manner in which she dealt with the case and gave her evidence.

He noted the support the young woman had from her husband and parents throughout the process.

READ MORE: Cashel RFC wishes local swimmer the best of luck as she embarks on 'incredible challenge'

He noted defence submissions that due to his age any custodial sentence is in effect a life sentence for Green, that he has no prior convictions and that there had been no violence additional to the inherent violence of rape.

He said the difficulty which arose in this case was the age of the accused, with the only mitigating factors being his absence of prior convictions and that he had been a productive family man.

Mr Justice McGrath set a headline sentence of 16 years, which he reduced to 15 years taking into account the circumstances of the case.

He noted that the prison service had liaised with Green’s carers and the prison service had formed the view they can accommodate him and deal with his needs from July 10, 2025.

Mr Justice McGrath said he had considered the medical reports in the case and while Green has a considerable range of medical difficulties, most are those that would be expected for a man of his age.

He said the difficulties mostly relate to mobility and ensuring that Green takes his various medications.

Mr Justice McGrath imposed the 15 year sentence, and taking into account Green's advanced age, suspended the final five years of the sentence.

It will take effect from July 10, 2025.

Detective Garda Oliver Hennelly told George Burns BL, prosecuting, that the woman reported to gardai that the offending began when she just turned seven.

Green was 57 years old.

The women reported that Green took any opportunity he could to rape her and that it happened many times.

The abuse ended when she was about the age of 12 years old.

READ MORE: CONGRATS! Tipperary local wins big in 'Split the Pot' draw

The woman subsequently engaged with mental health services and the rape crisis centre but did not feel ready to go to gardaí until after she disclosed the abuse to her own family.

The woman made a complaint to gardaí in 2020 and when Green was interviewed in 2021, he denied the allegations.

He was charged in 2022 and found guilty following a trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Tullamore earlier this year.

In her victim impact statement, the woman described the profound and devasting effects that the abuse continues to have on her life as a result of the emotional and psychological damage caused.

She described how she battles with fear and trust and how her relationships with family, friends and loved ones have suffered.

She outlined how anxiety has transferred into her own parenting.

She suffers with depression, flashbacks and nightmares, feels isolated and misunderstood, leaving her with a profound sense of loneliness.

She described how she found temporary escape in drugs and alcohol but recognised this led to a destructive cycle, creating a barrier between her and loved ones.

She told the court how she felt shame and guilt, despite being the innocent victim in the situation.

READ MORE: PICTURES: Trainee Gardaí offer their spare time to Templemore Tidy Towns

She said the long term consequences of the abuse are still unfolding but she is determined to seek healing and support.

She thanked those who have supported her, especially her husband and said she is ready to “confront the shadows of the past and step into a hopeful future together.”

Dermot Cahill SC, defending, said that Green had moved to Ireland from the UK, raised a family here and had a good work history.

His wife passed away in 2013.

Counsel asked the court to take into account that the offences occurred over a defined period in the past and Green was now facing sentencing as a 89-year-old man.

He outlined a number of medical issues currently affecting Green.

He said Green is unable to mobilise or get out of bed without assistance and needs ongoing nursing, which he receives in the nursing home.

He submitted that prison will create difficulties for Green from a health perspective.

He asked the court to take into account his client's co-operation with gardaí and a lack of prior convictions.