MARTIN QUINN FROM CO KILDARE SENTENCED FOR SCHOOLBOY RAPE IN ATHY

In a case that has shocked the community of Athy, Co Kildare, Martin Quinn, a 42-year-old man known locally as a family man, was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison for serious sexual offenses committed against a young boy during the early 1990s. The crimes, which involved multiple charges of rape and indecent assault, spanned from 1990 to 1992, and Quinn pleaded guilty to all seven charges during the proceedings at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr. Justice Carney, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of the breach of trust involved in the offenses. He described how Quinn, who was married and responsible for caring for his wheelchair-bound wife and children, had engaged in a calculated process of grooming the young victim, which ultimately led to the sexual assaults. The judge pointed out that such betrayal of trust was particularly egregious given Quinn’s role within his family and community.

While acknowledging Quinn’s personal circumstances, Mr. Justice Carney stated that the nature of the crimes warranted a significant custodial sentence. He noted that if not for the fact that Quinn looked after his family well, he might have imposed a longer sentence of 11 years. Instead, the court sentenced Quinn to seven years for the rape charges, with the sentences to run concurrently with an additional four years for the indecent assault charges.

In addition to the prison term, the judge certified Quinn as a sex offender and ordered that he undergo five years of post-release supervision to monitor his conduct and prevent further offenses. The court also took into account Quinn’s guilty plea, which spared the victim from having to testify in court, and as a result, the final 18 months of the sentence were suspended.

The victim, whose life has been profoundly affected by the abuse, addressed the court, stating that Quinn’s actions had destroyed his life. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Athy, raising concerns about the safety and trust within families and local institutions in Co Kildare.