Ex-frère chrétien probablement mourant en prison après avoir été emprisonné pendant cinq ans

A woman who was sexually abused by former swim coach George Gibney has testified in court that she feels “free” after the conviction of the 78-year-old, while the world will now know him as a “convicted, serial paedophile.” The woman, one of four survivors, described how Gibney’s abuse of her more than 50 years ago destroyed her childhood and left lasting emotional scars. She recounted how Gibney, who held a position of authority, exploited his role as a coach to abuse girls between the ages of eight and 13 over several years, starting in 1971 and ending in 1981. The abuse took place at swimming pools in south County Dublin, including the Newpark Sports Centre in Blackrock, where an attempted rape occurred in a changing room. Gibney, who sat in a wheelchair during the trial, was found guilty of 39 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape. His defense attorney, Patrick Gageby, stated that Gibney accepts the jury’s verdict and will not pursue an appeal. During the sentencing hearing, the judge noted that the offenses fall within the upper range of criminal behavior, citing Gibney’s position of authority and the vulnerability of the victims. The judge postponed sentencing until October, allowing time to review the victim-impact statements submitted by the four survivors. One of the survivors described how Gibney used his influence to manipulate and abuse the girls, including taking them in his car and subjecting them to acts such as French kissing, inappropriate touching, digital penetration, and forced oral sex. In her victim-impact statement, she detailed how the trauma led her to seek psychological help from the age of nine, experience nightmares, isolate herself, and engage in self-harm. She emphasized that Gibney stole her athletic potential and altered the course of her life in ways she never intended. She expressed frustration at witnessing Gibney being celebrated by the community while she remained aware of his true nature. Another survivor shared how she felt “safe and championed” after finally being believed by police when she came forward with her allegations. She described how Gibney’s actions made her feel “almost unreachable” and an “observer” in life, unable to fully participate. A third survivor, whose 13-year-old self is “frozen in time,” expressed deep anger over the harm inflicted upon her and criticized media coverage of the case. She called for legal reforms to better protect victims and ensure their dignity is upheld. The fourth survivor requested privacy to be respected when sharing her statement. Gibney originally faced 79 charges but was found not guilty of one indecent assault count after the prosecution’s evidence was reviewed. He initially pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault, though the judge dismissed 33 charges. The trial revealed that Gibney targeted both individual girls and pairs of siblings, using his home as a site of abuse when they were babysitting his children. The abuse spanned multiple locations, including schools and sports facilities, highlighting the widespread nature of his predatory behavior. Separately, Liam Coughlan, a 90-year-old former Christian Brother, is set to receive his sentence for sexually abusing boys in the early to mid-1980s at St Patrick’s CBS primary school in Portarlington, Co Offaly. Coughlan, who is already serving a 4½-year sentence for similar offenses in Kilkenny during the 1970s, faces additional charges stemming from the Portarlington abuse. The jury found him guilty of 31 counts of indecent assault against nine former pupils. Evidence presented during the trial showed that Coughlan regularly engaged in abusive behavior in the classroom, bringing boys to the front of his class and sexually interfering with them while teaching the rest of the class. Victims described how the abuse affected their lives, leading to issues with self-esteem, relationships, and mental health. One survivor noted that the trauma extended beyond the school, influencing the broader community and contributing to social challenges in the town. Coughlan, who is receiving palliative care in Mountjoy Prison, will be sentenced by Judge Keenan Johnson following the court’s consideration of the victim-impact statements.