Relative of abuse victim has to be restrained in court

A MAN had to be restrained during the hearing of a case against a well-known writer, who has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy, at the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee yesterday.

The man, sitting with the boy’s relatives, made an outburst after Judge Carroll Moran indicated he would further adjourn the case against Desmond Hogan to allow for assessment of the accused at the Granada Institute.

Hogan, 57, with an address at Back Lane, East End, Ballybunion, Co Kerry, has admitted to the aggravated sexual assault of a boy under the age of 17 on November 11, 2006, at Back Lane.

He was due to be sentenced yesterday, but Judge Moran again adjourned the case to March 10 next to allow the Granada Institute, where people who sexually abuse children are treated, complete an assessment of him.

The relative rose to his feet in the public gallery and asked what about the family who were struggling because of the case. He was restrained by people sitting next to him and was also warned by a Garda sergeant to sit quietly.

Judge Moran said he would not have any more outbursts from the back of the court.

However, another man pointed at the accused and said something in his direction as people left the courtroom after the hearing.

Prosecuting counsel Tom Rice said the case had previously been adjourned to allow the accused get help for his problem. However, there was a letter from the Granada Institute saying it had a six-month waiting period for assessment and there would then be a wait for a further three months.

Judge Moran accepted the injured party would prefer to see finality and did not want to see it dragging on and that the appropriate sentence was two years.

One of the conditions of bail granted to the accused is that he does not associate with males under the age of 18.