Courts / Dublin / Report
Man avoids jail for indecent assaults carried out as a teenager
Summary
Michael Nolan, aged 54, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to indecent assault of a child between November 1984 and September 1985, when he was 14‑15 and the victim 4‑5. He had no prior convictions. The court heard that Nolan's parents and the victim's parents met after the offences were discovered, and that both children were referred to therapy. The victim's impact statement described lasting physical, emotional and psychological harm, including PTSD, anxiety and nightmares, and her motivation to report the abuse to prevent further victims. Judge Pauline Codd noted the offence's seriousness and the victim's enduring suffering. She considered the passage of time, Nolan's rehabilitation, his guilty plea, remorse, and €6,500 contribution to counselling costs. The judge imposed a headline sentence of four years, suspended for three years, and placed Nolan on the sex offenders register for two years, avoiding custodial imprisonment. The case was concluded with no further convictions or charges.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man avoids jail for indecent assaults carried out as a teenager. Charges or matters: indecent assault of the young girl on dates between November 1984 and September 1985. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 1984 Incident
- September 1985 Incident
- 2024-07-26 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: indecent assault of the young girl on dates between November 1984 and September 1985 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She said she was obliged to sentence Nolan according to the sentencing regime of the time but noted the penalties and legislation in relation to sexual offences on children and sentencing of child offenders have changed in the intervening years. Judge Codd imposed three years of imprisonment to mark the seriousness of the offence but taking into account Nolan's rehabilitation; she suspended the entire sentence for three years.
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