15/01/2013

Former GAA Coach Jailed For Sexual Abuse Of Boys

A former hurling coach has been jailed for two years after being found guilty of the sexual abuse of two boys.

At Ennis Circuit Court on Monday, Judge Carroll Moran said that James “Tony” Maher carried out a breach of trust in abusing one of the victims whom Maher coached hurling to at the Banner GAA club’s under-12 and under-14 hurling sides in Ennis, Co Clare.

Former chairman, PRO and founder member of the Banner GAA club, Maher (69), pleaded guilty to 18 counts of indecent assault on the two boys on dates between January 1982 and April 15th, 1985.

Judge Moran said the abuse of the two boys was “unacceptable” and had taken place over a protracted period of time.

“The two boys were very young and one boy was quite unaware of what was happening when the abuse began. Young people are entitled to protection from this kind of manipulative exploitation and destruction of their innocence.”

(H)


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