<p>
	A LIMERICK man who sexually abused a young boy more than two decades ago will be sentenced later today.</p>
<p>
	During a sentencing hearing last week, the presiding judge was asked to consider applying the Probation Act in the case of the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons.</p>
<p>
	The accused, who was 16 at the time, is now married and living in America and the Central Criminal Court was told that any conviction could prevent him returning there.</p>
<p>
	If the Probation Act is applied, a conviction will not be recorded allowing the accused man to retain a clean criminal record.</p>
<p>
	The now 37 year old pleaded guilty to attempted rape on the basis of full details of the offending being heard by the court.</p>
<p>
	The abuse occurred during the summer of 1993 in a wooded area near the man&rsquo;s home on the outskirts of Limerick city.</p>
<p>
	His victim was between six and seven at the time.</p>
<p>
	Maurice Coffey BL, prosecuting, said the victim still suffers night terrors as a result of the abuse.</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;He has caused an irreparable amount of damage to my life&rdquo;, he wrote in a victim impact statement adding that his abuser was &ldquo;aggressive, manipulating, dominating and most of all, a predator.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
	A local garda told the court the abuse started when the boy found the accused reading a pornographic magazine in the woods. The accused then put his hand on the child&rsquo;s genitals, causing him to run away.</p>
<p>
	On another occasion the accused brought the boy into the wooded area where he had laid down a blanket, molested him and tried to orally rape him.</p>
<p>
	Isobel Kennedy SC, said after the victim went to garda&iacute; in 2012 her client voluntarily came back to Ireland and made full admissions.</p>
<p>
	She said he is deeply remorseful and later wrote a letter to his victim apologising for the abuse.</p>
<p>
	Ms Kennedy added that the man&rsquo;s wife is very worried he won&rsquo;t be able to return to the US with her as a result of the case.</p>
<p>
	After hearing Ms Kennedy&rsquo;s submission, Mr Justice Paul Carney asked: &ldquo;If I apply the Probation Act what do you think every rape crisis centre and tabloid newspaper in the country is going to do?&rdquo;</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;And they&rsquo;re not going to go after you Ms Kennedy,&rdquo; he continued.</p>
<p>
	The judge indicated he will impose sentence this morning.</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local-news/limerick-man-who-abused-young-boy-to-be-sentenced-1-6050537">http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local-news/limerick-man-who-abused-young-boy-to-be-sentenced-1-6050537</a></p>
