Man pleads guilty to 20 counts of sexual assault

A MAN pleaded guilty to 20 counts of sexual assault against three separate women over a 20-year period in Co Mayo and Co Galway.
The defendant who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions pleaded guilty to the charges of sexual assault at last week’s sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
The first offence dates back to a date unknown between November 20, 1992, and November 19, 1993, against a female at an address in Co Galway. The defendant, who was remanded in custody, pleaded guilty to five charges of sexual assault against one woman which occurred some time between October 2002 and December 2013 at the same address in Co Mayo.
He also pleaded guilty to five charges of sexual assault against another woman which occurred some time between January 2009 and December 2012 at the same address in Co Mayo as the previous victim.
The remaining ten charges of sexual assault were against another female and took place some time between November 1992 and December 2000 – with nine of the offences taking place in an address in Co Galway and one taking place in an address in Co Mayo.
Judge Rory McCabe was informed that victim impact statements from the victims were to be prepared, and he adjourned sentencing until February 16, 2018.