An intellectually challenged man, who sexually abused his niece when she was a child two decades ago, will begin a one year prison term next year.
48-year old, farm labourer William O'Riordan of Derry, Banteer pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to three counts of sexual abuse on three occasions between September 2001 and March 2006.
Mr. Justice Paul McDermott noted that while O'Riordan has a reduced cognitive functionality, he knew at the time that what he was doing was wrong, and has not shown any remorse or regret for his actions.
In her victim impact statement, the victim said that she wanted her uncle to be named.
She said that the offences occurred when she was between nine and 10 years old and O'Riordan was in his 30s.
The woman made a formal complaint to Gardaí in July 2018, during which she outlined three incidences of sexual abuse by her uncle.
The judge remanded O'Riordan on bail until the 7th February and ordered that O'Riordan present himself to the court on that date to begin serving his sentence.
