PAUL MCGENNIS SENTENCED IN DUBLIN FOR DECADES OF ABUSE AGAINST YOUNG VICTIM

In a case that has spanned decades and shocked the community, Paul McGennis, a former priest based in Dublin, was finally brought to justice for his long history of sexual abuse. The 81-year-old, who once served in various capacities within the church, was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of indecent assault against a young girl.

The victim, now 42 years old, was only 11 when the abuse began in the early 1980s. She was present in the courtroom to witness the sentencing and had publicly requested that McGennis be named, highlighting her desire for accountability and recognition of her suffering. Her life, she testified, had been profoundly affected by the abuse, which occurred almost every fortnight over a span of four years. The assaults took place in the privacy of the parish house bedroom and in a waiting room, both located within Dublin.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the victim had attempted suicide twice, underscoring the severe psychological trauma inflicted upon her. As the sentence was handed down, she was embraced by family members, providing her with some comfort after the harrowing experience of confronting her abuser in court.

Throughout the hearing, McGennis appeared frail, sitting with his eyes closed as Judge Desmond Hogan addressed the court. The judge expressed deep disappointment in the former priest, emphasizing how his actions betrayed both his faith and the trust placed in him by the community. Judge Hogan described the ripple effects of such offenses as wide and far-reaching, referencing a victim-impact statement that painted a harrowing picture of the lasting damage caused.

McGennis, who resides at the Holy Cross Diocesan Centre on Clonliffe Road in Dublin 3, pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault committed at two different locations within Dublin between June 1980 and May 1984. The court sentenced him to six years in prison, with four years suspended. The judge explained that he would have imposed a longer sentence had it not been for McGennis’s advanced age, poor health, and the fact that he had made a substantial offer of compensation to the victim in settlement of her civil claims.

It was also revealed that McGennis initially denied the allegations during police interviews in 2009, despite later admitting guilt. The court considered aggravating factors, notably McGennis’s position of trust as a priest, which he exploited to commit these heinous acts. Judge Hogan pointed out that the defendant, aware of his societal standing, likely believed his word would never be questioned, thereby adding to the trauma experienced by the victim. The judge emphasized that the offenses were driven by selfish motives and a lack of regard for the victim’s well-being.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Hogan acknowledged McGennis’s age and late recognition of his wrongdoings. He decided to suspend the final four years of the sentence on the condition that McGennis adhere to specific restrictions set by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. Diarmuid Martin. These conditions include a ban on publicly celebrating Mass, no unsupervised contact with minors, and no direct contact with any of his victims. The judge explained that these measures are intended to minimize the risk of further harm and to protect vulnerable individuals from potential contact with the defendant, despite the sensitive nature of the religious context involved.