DOUGLAS TAFFE FROM LIMERICK SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST BOYS

In November 2012, a man identified as Douglas Taffe, aged 77, was sentenced to six years in prison by Limerick Circuit Criminal Court for serious sexual offences involving young boys. The court also suspended the final 18 months of his sentence, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and his history of offending.

Douglas Taffe, who has a long-standing criminal record with multiple convictions for sexual crimes against children spanning nearly five decades, pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the abuse of two schoolboys in Limerick City. The abuse occurred over a three-week period between October and November of the previous year. Taffe, who does not have a fixed address, had established a disturbing pattern of befriending young boys by offering them cigarettes, money, crisps, and soft drinks, thereby gaining their trust before subjecting them to abuse.

The State accepted Taffe’s guilty plea to six sample charges out of an initial 19 counts of sexual assault against young boys. The charges stemmed from incidents that took place in Limerick City, where Taffe targeted the victims. Detective Garda Mark Deasy of Mayorstone Garda Station provided details of the offences, describing them as occurring on a daily basis during the period in question. He explained that Taffe first met the boys while they were fishing at Canal Bank in Limerick during their mid-term break from school.

According to Garda Deasy, Taffe would lure the boys to a makeshift hut located off the main canal walkway. Once there, he would engage in inappropriate physical contact, including placing his hands down the boys’ pants to feel their genitals and buttocks. The court was also told that Taffe forced the boys to kiss him on the lips, further illustrating the predatory nature of his actions.

The authorities became aware of the offences after one of the boys’ mothers confronted Taffe. Her son had confided in her about receiving cigarettes from Taffe and about their planned meetings, which raised suspicions. This confrontation led to police investigations that uncovered the extent of Taffe’s misconduct.

Judge Carroll Moran highlighted Taffe’s extensive criminal history during sentencing. It was revealed that he had accumulated 26 previous convictions related to sexual offences between January 1, 1966, and February 23, 2008. These offences, committed across Limerick, Cork, Tipperary, and Kilkenny, included rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault involving both boys and girls.

In delivering his sentence, Judge Moran emphasized the danger Taffe posed to children, stating, “This man is a serious risk to young children, but I cannot commit him to jail forever. He’s to be bound to the peace for six years. If he breaches this, he may well have to serve out the suspended part of the sentence.” The court’s decision reflects both the severity of the crimes and the need to protect the community from further harm.