This article is from page 14 of the 2012-05-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
A FORMER worker with Clare County Council who sexually assaulted young boys over a 27-year period has been sentenced to six years in prison.
Sean Leamy (61) with an address at Main Street, Tulla was convicted yesterday at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court.
He had pleaded guilty to 21 counts of sexual / indecent assault. The offences took place in areas, including courthouses in Tulla and Sixmilebridge from 1978 to 2005.
The court heard that Mr Leamy, a secretary and former member of the Tulla Pipe Band, worked for Clare County Council for over 30 years.
The victims were aged between seven and 14.
The court heard that Mr Leamy would strike up a relationship with boys by asking them about horse riding. During the assaults he would ask them to strike him with a jockey’s whip.
Statements from the five victims were read out in court. One man said that he had battled with alcohol and depression in his adult life.
Another of the injured parties said, “As a result of the abuse I suffered from Sean Leamy, my innocence was lost.”
One man said in his statement that he had given up playing rugby and hurling after the abuse. He said the accused had killed his love of music.
“I tried to kill myself,” he added.
Detective Garda Stephen Ryan of Shannon Garda Station led the investigation into Sean Leamy.
He said the accused had fully cooperated with gardaí and made a full admission.
Counsel for Mr Leamy, Mark Ni- cholas, said his client unreservedly apologised to all the victims.
He said from a position where he enjoyed some standing, his client had become a “social pariah” in his community. He said, “He is not welcome, ignored and despised. His reputation is in tatters and rightly so.”
The court heard that Mr Leamy has no previous convictions.
Judge Carol Moran said the accused had been an active member of the community in Tulla. He said the abuse in some cases was “regular and continuous”.
He added, “What’s really scandalous about it is that it took place over a period of 27 years. This is a bad case.”
Noting the accused’s early plea of guilty and the isolation he has experienced in his own community, Judge Moran imposed sentences totaling six years.