This article is from page 8 of the 2012-11-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
VICTIMS have told how they battled addictions and attempted suicide after the abuse they suffered at the hands of Ennis man James ‘Tony’ Maher.
One of the men stated that he was afraid to speak up after he was first assaulted by Mr Maher (69).
Detective Garda Beatrice Ryan read out the man’s victim impact statement in Ennis Circuit Criminal Court. The man stated, “It’s sad that I was always blaming myself and family for what this paedophile was doing to me.”
The man first met Mr Maher through his involvement with the Banner GAA Club. He recalled how he started to drink alcohol heavily at an early age.
He stated, “At 15, I was hospitalised for drink and I tried to commit suicide.”
The court heard that the man again tried to kill himself aged 18 and almost ended up taking the life of another person.
The man stated that he had battled addictions to alcohol and gambling.
He described Mr Maher, of Clonroadmorebeg, Ennis as a “monster” and said the abuse had a “dramatic effect” on his life.
He said he had never told his wife and children about the ordeal he had suffered. The man said his life had been robbed. “I hope that if there is a God, he (Mr Maher) will burn in hell.”
Another victim of Mr Maher read his victim impact statement in court yesterday.
He told the court that he was 11 when Mr Maher first assaulted him. He said the incidents had a “horrific impact” on his life.
He said he sank into a deep depression after Mr Maher “robbed” him of an ability to trust anyone. The man, whom the court heard grew up in poor circumstances in a rural part of the county, said he had attempted suicide.
He added, “I suffered enormous pain and I will always remain scarred by the actions of this man.” Mr Maher will be sentenced on January 14, 2013.