Man sexually abused girls while they steered car

A 59-year-old man from West Cork sexually assaulted three girls by having them sit on his lap to steer his car on country roads and yesterday he was jailed for two years, as the judge said he was guilty of a gross breach of trust.

Donal Sheehan of Ardfield, Clonakilty, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault against three victims when they were aged around 10 and younger in the years between 2000 and 2006.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said the plea of guilty was a public offer of affirmation by Sheehan that he was the abuser of them, that they were right and that he was wrong. He said people in the community had to live with that reality.