'Little people grow up to be bigger and stronger', abuse victim tells attacker

A man appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his guilty plea to indecently assaulting a child in Dublin between 1982 and 1985. Thomas Deegan, aged 55 and with an address in Finglas, admitted the offence, which occurred when the victim was approximately eight years old. The complainant, now 45, addressed the court and stated that any power held over him in childhood had diminished with time. He described experiencing lasting effects including low self-esteem, anxiety, and difficulties in his personal relationships. Deegan was arrested in Donegal after initially failing to appear for trial in 2019. His legal representative submitted that the incident was isolated and that Deegan had no previous convictions. Judge Elma Sheahan adjourned the matter to 15 December for sentencing.