DENIS NOLAN FROM CO WICKLOW SENTENCED FOR SYSTEMATIC CHILD ABUSE IN RATHNEW AND TINAHELY

In a case that has shocked the community of Co Wicklow, Denis Nolan, a 61-year-old man residing in Tinahely, was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison after being convicted of multiple counts of sexual abuse against a young boy. The abuse spanned over a period of more than four years, beginning when the victim was just 12 years old, and took place primarily within the confines of the Presbytery in Rathnew, where Nolan served as a curate at the time.

The court heard that Nolan had pleaded guilty to a series of serious charges, including sexual assault committed between January 1st and June 30th, 2007. Additionally, he admitted to five counts of defilement of a child under 15 years old, which occurred from July 1st, 2007, through August 25th, 2009. Further charges included five counts of defilement of a child under 17, committed between August 26th, 2009, and August 25th, 2011. All these offenses took place within the presbytery, where Nolan was working at the time.

The victim, now aged 19, chose to waive his right to anonymity, providing a detailed account of the abuse. According to testimony from Detective Sergeant Fergus O’Brien, the young boy initially approached Nolan seeking odd jobs to earn extra money. It was during these interactions that Nolan lured him into a situation of exploitation. The abuse began after Nolan invited the boy to his family home in Tinahely, where the assaults took place. Nolan reportedly told the boy that what was happening was “what adults do” and instructed him not to tell anyone about the incidents.

Following the abuse at Nolan’s home, the victim was given money—initially €10 and €15 after the incidents at the presbytery, and later €40 as the abuse continued and escalated. When the victim’s mother confronted Nolan about her son’s allegations, Nolan claimed that he was giving the boy money because he was afraid of her son. Despite a visit from the HSE in March 2010, during which Nolan was advised to inform authorities if he had any contact with the victim, he failed to do so. The sexual abuse persisted unchecked, causing further trauma to the young victim.

Judge Michael O’Shea addressed the court, emphasizing the breach of trust involved in Nolan’s actions. He stated that Nolan, as a member of the clergy, was expected to be a protector of the vulnerable, not a predator. The judge described the victim’s experience as “exploited by the systematic sexual abuse,” and highlighted the harrowing impact detailed in the victim impact report. The judge characterized the abuse as “disgusting, horrific, embarrassing and humiliating,” and noted that Nolan’s actions were “cold and calculating.”

In sentencing, Nolan received seven years in prison for each of the five counts of defilement of a child under 15, and three and a half years for each of the remaining six charges. All sentences are to run concurrently. Nolan, who is already registered on the sex offenders register, will also be subject to three years of post-release supervision. An application for leave to appeal the sentence was denied, sealing his fate with the current conviction.