GER DOYLE FROM WEXFORD JAILLED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN CO WEXFORD AND NEW ROSS

In a case that has shocked the community of Co Wexford and the town of New Ross, Ger Doyle, a former national and Olympic swimming coach, has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for a series of heinous sexual and indecent assaults committed against five young boys. The crimes, which spanned over a period of more than a decade, have left a lasting scar on the victims and the local community alike.

Ger Doyle, who originally hails from Wexford town, was a prominent figure in the local sports scene, having served as the manager of the swimming pool in New Ross for 26 years. His reputation was further bolstered by his role as an Irish Olympic coach during the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2004 Athens Olympics. In 2004, he was also named Wexford Person of the Year, a recognition of his contributions to sports and the community.

However, Doyle's public image was shattered when, in November 2009, a jury found him guilty of 34 counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual assault. The court heard that the assaults took place between 1981 and 1993, primarily occurring within the confines of his office and the boiler room at the New Ross swimming pool. The victims, boys aged between 10 and 15 at the time, endured these traumatic experiences over a period of more than a decade.

Throughout the trial, Doyle maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges. As a single man with no prior criminal record, his conviction marked a significant fall from grace. His defense team argued that the conviction had caused him to suffer a severe personal and professional downfall, but the prosecution emphasized the ongoing pain and suffering inflicted upon the victims.

Judge Alice Doyle, presiding over the case, described Ger Doyle’s actions as premeditated and a gross breach of trust. She emphasized the severity of the crimes and the betrayal of the innocence of the young boys involved. In her sentencing, she ordered Doyle to serve a total of six and a half years behind bars, reflecting the gravity of his offenses and the lasting impact on the victims and the community of Co Wexford and New Ross.