Pirate radio founder Cooke awaits appeal date for sex-assault sentencing

An appeal brought by Eamonn Cooke, the founder of an illegal Radio Dublin pirate station, against his conviction and 10-year jail sentence for sexually assaulting young girls some 30 years ago has been adjourned by the Court of Criminal Appeal to later this year.

In 2007 Eamonn "Captain" Cooke (aged 71), with addresses at Heatherview Avenue, Tallaght, and Wheatfields Court, Clondalkin, was found guilty of 42 charges of sexual assault at the Central Criminal Court. The offences took place at Cooke's home.

Ms Justice Maureen Clark sentenced Cooke to 10 years comprising one year from each of the 42 counts, with five years to run consecutively for each of the two victim and the remaining 32 terms to run concurrently.

Cooke denied the charges against him.

His appeal had been due to be heard today by the CCA of Ms Justice Fidelma Macken presiding sitting with Mr Justice Michael Hanna, and Mr Justice John MacMenamin.

However shortly after the matter began the court agreed to a request from Cooke to have the matter adjourned. It is hoped that the appeal will go ahead early in the new legal term, which commences in October.