'Cowardly predator' George Gibney to be sentenced tomorrow

George Gibney's legal team told the courts that he accepts the jury's guilty verdicts of indecent assault and attempted rape, and will not appeal his convictions.

George Gibney photographed in 2019 close to his home near Orlando in Florida. Picture: Mark Horgan

Former Olympic swim coach George Gibney, described by his victims as a “manipulative, brazen, cowardly predator”, will tomorrow be sentenced for sexually abusing four girls over the course of a decade.

Gibney, who was extradited from the US last year to face the historic allegations, was found guilty by a jury of 39 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape of four young girls between 1971 and 1981.

The abuse took place at various locations including Glenalbyn Swimming Pool in Stillorgan and Trojans Swim Club in Newpark Sports Centre, Co Dublin, which Gibney set up in 1976 to “great excitement” in the community.

Gibney also abused some of the girls in his car while giving them lifts to and from swim training, in his home when they were babysitting his children and — in the case of two complainants — in their own homes.

Former Irish swimming coach George Gibney. Picture: INPHO / Billy Stickland

His legal team has told the courts that Gibney, who is now in his late 70s, accepts the jury's guilty verdicts and will not appeal his convictions.

The notorious former national swim coach, of Breakwater Drive, Altamonte Springs, Florida, had fled to America to escape justice.