Elderly man jailed for sexual abuse of young child

By Fiona Ferguson

A 70-year-old man who sexually abused a young child has been jailed for four years.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the girl was between eight and nine years old at the time.

William Butler, with an address at Ferrymans Crossing, Seville Place, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to sexual assault of the child on dates between 2020 and 2022.

The court heard that the family of the child, who cannot be identified, wish for Butler to be named.

A prosecuting garda told Aoife McNickle BL, prosecuting, that when the child told her family what was occurring, they reported the matter to the gardaí and Butler was arrested.

The abuse comprised touching the child’s private area inside and outside her clothing.

A victim impact report and play therapist report were handed into court but not read aloud.

Butler has 21 previous convictions, the most recent from 1989, the majority for larceny and road traffic offences. He has no previous convictions for sexual offences.

Paul Murray SC, defending, said his client had experienced some “external punishment” after the offences came to light when he was assaulted. There have been threats to burn down his house. He has had to spend time in cheap hotel accommodation and in his own car.

He said Butler was a widower and had a prior work history. He has a heart condition and takes medication.

Mr Murray said Butler is very regretful and sorry for what he did. He offers an apology to the young girl.

Passing sentence on Friday, Judge Martin Nolan said Butler had sexually assaulted the child on more than ten occasions. He noted the offending will have far reaching effects on the child and was “serious misbehaviour.” He noted the guilty pleas as mitigation.

The judge said Butler’s prior record of conviction was not too relevant and he would probably not re-offend. He noted prison would be more difficult for Butler than for a younger person.

He said however, that Butler deserved a prison term. He set a headline sentence of six years, and taking into account mitigation, imposed a sentence of four years imprisonment.

Judge Nolan said he was taking into account to a small degree the violence levied against Butler.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.