This article is from page 16 of the 2006-07-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
A COURT has heard that a west Clare rural community has been left in shock after it emerged that a highly respected man had indecently assaulted a young girl over 30 years ago.
Stephen Hennessy (69), of Shanganagh, Kilkee, admitted indecently assaulting his victim on a number of occasions, between 1968 and 1972. At the time, he was in his 30s and she was aged between 11 and 14.
One of the incidents took place in a parked car and another while he was driving a car.
Garda Marie O’Neill told Ennis Circuit Court that, on one occasion, while the accused was driving, he let his victim change gears and touched her between the legs.
“He was abusing her but, the other side of it, he bought her gifts – sweets, chocolate and a watch,” said Garda O’Neill.
She said the victim, who did not wish to give evidence in court, was devastated by the accused’s actions.
Hennessy, who is not married, has no previous convictions. The court was told he wrote a letter to his victim, apologising for what he did. In that letter, he stated that he would “regret it all his life.”
Judge Carroll Moran asked why there was a delay in the case being brought to court. He was told the injured party made a statement in 2003.
A neighbour of the accused told the court the matter “has come as a shock to the community as he was well respected.”
He described Hennessy as “a very good neighbour,” who was deeply involved in the GAA.
“He was a man I looked up to . . . I still respect him as a man who would never tell a lie,” said the neighbour, who has worked alongside the accused in the RDF.
The accused’s barrister said his client pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and said he had €20,000 compensation in court. However, Counsel for the State, Stephen Coughlan, said the victim was not interested in compensation. The court was told the victim has initiated High Court personal injury proceedings.
Judge Moran said the accused “committed a pretty heinous offence against a very young girl, albeit a long time ago.”
He asked were any other complaints made about the accused and Garda O’Neill said she was not aware of any.
“I am told the injured party doesn’t want compensation. I don’t know how wise that is,” said the judge.
He adjourned sentencing until October.