JAMES ROONEY FROM LUSK CO DUBLIN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF NIECES IN DUBLIN AND LOUTH

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Co Dublin and Lusk, James Rooney, aged 32, has been sentenced to a total of eight years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges of sexual abuse involving his two young nieces. The offences took place over a span of nearly a decade, from January 1st, 2001, to October 24th, 2010, with incidents occurring in both Dublin and Louth.

Rooney, a resident of Kelly Park in Lusk, was found to have engaged in inappropriate and abusive conduct towards his nieces, who were at the time between the ages of eight and 15 for the first victim, and 13 for her younger cousin. The abuse was reportedly initiated when Rooney asked the girls to play games he described as “nerves” or “tickles,” which escalated into sexual misconduct. The victims, who courageously waived their right to anonymity, allowed their names to be publicly disclosed so that Rooney could be identified in the media.

During the sentencing hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martin Nolan described the case as “a distressing case,” emphasizing the gravity of Rooney’s actions. The judge pointed out that Rooney exploited the trust placed in him by the children, who were effectively under his care at the time. He stated that Rooney’s conduct caused “horrific harm” to the teenagers, and that their suffering was, unfortunately, predictable given the circumstances.

While acknowledging that Rooney had made efforts towards rehabilitation by attending a treatment centre for sex offenders, Judge Nolan was clear in his assessment that Rooney, as a mature adult, should have known better. The court took into account Rooney’s previous criminal record, which includes nine convictions from the District Court, none of which were related to sexual offences.

In his ruling, Judge Nolan sentenced Rooney to consecutive terms totaling eight years. However, he suspended the final four years of the sentence on the condition that Rooney maintain peace for four years following his release and actively engage with probation services for a period of three years. This conditional suspension aims to ensure Rooney’s rehabilitation and monitor his conduct moving forward.

Prosecutor Sgt Liam Donoghue provided additional details, stating that Rooney’s first victim was sexually abused when she was only eight years old. The case has left a lasting impact on the victims and the wider community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and protective measures for vulnerable children in the area.