Galway Bay FM News Archives
KILLIMOR MAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON YOUNG GIRLS
Date Published: 07-Mar-2013
A 42-year old accountant has been jailed for eight years for the "systematic and repeated" abuse to four young girls in his office over a ten-year period.
Liam Brien, from 3 Valley Park, Killimor, Co. Galway, has been found guilty by a jury following a six-day trial last month of 23 charges of sexual assault against the four girls which took place between 1996 and 2006 when they were aged between five and twelve years of age.
Brien had an office in his elderly parent’s home on Main Street, Killimor, and used to abuse the girls while giving them turns at playing solitaire and golf games on his computer.
Three of the victims gave evidence today on the impact the abuse had on them while a Garda read out a statement on behalf of the fourth girl who was unable to attend court.
All said Brien had robbed them of their childhoods and they hated him for it.
They hated him for not admitting his guilt or ever expressing remorse and they hated themselves for not having the courage to stop him when they were children.
They said they finally got the courage to come forward and in doing so they stopped him from harming other children.
Judge Rory McCabe said it had been a difficult journey on a long road for the girls.
The offences took place, he said, at a time in their young lives when they could not have known what was going on was wrong. Offences of this nature, he said, take years to come to the surface if at all.
Bearing in mind the impact on the victims and the systematic and repeated nature of the offences, particularly in relation to one of the victims who had been repeatedly abused over a five-year period, Judge McCabe said a two year sentence was merited for each offence.
He imposed a two-year sentence in respect of one charge of sexual assault in relation to each victim, the sentences to run consecutively, bringing the total to eight years.
Two-year, concurrent sentences were imposed on the remaining eighteen charges.
Brien was also placed on the Sex Offerders Register.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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