Ireland’s eye: Happenings around the Auld Sod

"I'm as concerned as any member of the public that another convicted sex offender has been released. It highlights the leniency of sentencing for sexual offences," she said.

"Desmond Hogan was described as having a moderate to low risk of re-offending. Whether low or moderate there he is still a risk, and the bottom line is children have to be protected," said O'Leary. "He has been placed on the sexual offenders register. Being on the register is not enough to stop someone re-offending."

Hogan, an acclaimed writer, received a two-year suspended sentence from Judge Carroll Moran at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court for sexually assaulting the boy at his then home in Ballybunion in November 2006.

Moran called the case “complex” and said society would be better served if Hogan continued treatment rather than be sent to jail.

Hogan had pleaded guilty to the offense in July 2008, but sentencing in the case was adjourned at least five times to allow Hogan undergo assessment and treatment at the Granada Institute in Dublin.

Moran described Hogan as a person with a "complex make-up," and said that if he continues his underlying treatment society would be better served than by imposing a prison sentence.

He attached four conditions to the five-year suspension, which include that Hogan is never to be in unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18, that he does not stay in Kerry and that he cooperates with the Probation Services.

The victim's family left the chamber in tears as Moran explained his rationale for suspending the sentence.

The teenage boy, who is from Kerry and who cannot be named, was assaulted in Hogan's chalet. The victim's two friends left to go to the shop and the victim remained in Hogan's house.

The trial heard the assault ended when there was a knock on the window and the boy's friends confronted Hogan and demanded to know what had happened.

 

TWO county Limerick churches have been subject to sickening attacks.

In the first, an intruder defecated in a confessional box in Caherconlsih on two separate occasions, with the culprit using the altar cloth to wipe their hands.

And in a separate incident at Glenbrohane church, a lit firework was thrown into the congregation at Mass, an incident described as a "sacrilegious assault on God's house."

Parishioners are saying nothing is sacred any more at in Caherconlish Church. Cameras are to be installed in an effort to prevent further outrages.

Meanwhile, the incident at Glenbrohane church has been described by Father Jon Ryan, who was celebrating the Mass at Glenbrohane, as a "despicable, violent attack" on God, the house of worship and the local community.

The quick reaction of one parishioner helped defuse what could have been a very serious incident.

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Nster.com