MEL GREENE SENTENCED IN LONGFORD FOR DECADES-OLD CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN EDGEWORTHSTOWN

In a case that has spanned several decades and brought to light the dark history of child sexual abuse, Mel Greene, a man originally from Edgeworthstown, County Longford, was sentenced to a total of 18 months in prison, with the final six months suspended for five years. The proceedings took place after Greene was convicted on 15 separate counts of indecent assault, which occurred nearly 40 years ago, between October 1, 1979, and June 30, 1980.

Greene, who was 59 years old at the time of sentencing, had previously resided in Edgeworthstown but was living in the United Kingdom when the trial occurred. The victim, John Greene, who chose to waive his right to anonymity, was only five years old when the abuse began. The court heard harrowing details of the incidents, which reportedly took place two to three times a week over a span of about two weeks.

According to the evidence presented, the abuse started when the victim was taken to Greene’s bedroom at 16 St Patrick’s Terrace, Edgeworthstown, under the pretext of showing him a tape recorder. The victim recounted that during these visits, Greene engaged in inappropriate acts, including removing his trousers and masturbating in front of him. On other occasions, Greene allegedly put his head under the bed covers while in bed, then proceeded to perform oral sex on his young nephew.

The victim further testified that from February 1980 onwards, Greene coerced him into putting his hands under the bed covers and forced him to masturbate his then 20-year-old uncle. These disturbing revelations were supported by the victim’s statement to the Gardaí, after which Greene voluntarily made a statement to police in the UK. In his statement, Greene confirmed that his nephew had visited his parents’ house during the relevant period but denied any involvement in the alleged assaults.

During the four-day trial, Greene attempted to establish an alibi for the first six counts, with his sister Gretta and brother Christopher providing evidence that he was temporarily residing in England during the times when the offences supposedly occurred. Despite this, the jury rejected his claims, returning majority verdicts of 11 to 1 in favor of guilt.

In a powerful victim impact statement read aloud by John Greene’s wife, Deirdre, the court was told how the absence of an apology and Greene’s denial of the allegations had profound and lasting effects on John Greene and his family. Deirdre expressed her frustration at Greene’s silence in court, contrasting it with her husband’s courage in giving evidence and enduring relentless questioning. She described the emotional toll of the ordeal—shock, embarrassment, disbelief, tears, and shouting—highlighting how the jury believed her husband’s account.

Judge Keenan Johnson acknowledged the bravery of John Greene in coming forward and emphasized that his actions were not driven by vengeance but by a desire to shed light on the devastating impact of child sexual abuse on victims and their families. The judge also reflected on the emotional scars such trials leave on families, urging both sides to consider reconciliation and to avoid allowing bitterness to fester.

In sentencing Greene, Judge Johnson took into account the nature of the offences, which involved grooming behaviors such as the use of a tape recorder and attempts to keep the abuse secret. The judge also considered Greene’s cooperation with UK police, his low risk of re-offending according to a probation report, his poor health, and the support he received from testimonials attesting to his character. These mitigating factors, combined with the public shame associated with such crimes, influenced the court’s decision.

While the maximum sentence for these offences could have been two to three years, the judge explained that the sentence of 18 months, with six months suspended, was appropriate given the circumstances. He expressed hope that John Greene would understand the reasoning behind the court’s decision and the constraints faced by the judiciary. The judge also noted that the severity of the sentence reflected the mid to upper range of the offending’s seriousness, considering Greene’s age and previous clean record.

In closing, Judge Johnson emphasized the importance of acknowledging the victim’s courage and the lasting impact of such crimes, while also recognizing the need for justice to be balanced with fairness and context. The court’s decision aims to serve both as a punishment and a message about the importance of protecting children from abuse, regardless of the passage of time.