A retired soldier was jailed for nine months yesterday for tying up an eight-year-old girl he met through a youth group and then massaging her while naked.

David McGlone (48) was told by Judge David Riordan in Cork District Court that his actions, over a three-year period, were "reprehensible".

Judge Riordan said he was suspending the final three months of the nine-month prison term on strict conditions that McGlone undergo treatment and comply fully with the supervision of the Probation and Welfare Service (PWS).

McGlone had pleaded guilty to a total of 12 counts of sexually assaulting the youngster at his home over various dates between January 1 1998 and December 31 2000.

The assaults occurred while the girl was aged between eight and 11 years.

McGlone of Leeview, Ballincollig, Co Cork, had pleaded guilty to the charges earlier this year after stressing he deeply regretted his actions and did not want to cause any further trauma to the youngster.

Judge Riordan paid tribute to the youngster -- who cannot be identified for legal reasons -- for the way she had assisted the garda investigation.

"She was a very brave person," he said.

The court heard that McGlone -- who retired from the Defence Forces in 2002 -- had met the youngster through a youth group he had become involved in.

He became friendly with her and brought her to an address where he then tied her up and massaged her while naked.

McGlone's solicitor, Eddie Burke, said his client deeply regretted what happened and now wanted to do everything he could to minimise the impact for the youngster.

"If he could turn back the clock that is what he would do -- but he knows he cannot," he said.

Trauma

Mr Burke said his client had entered a guilty plea at the earliest possible opportunity to minimise the trauma for the victim -- and had also fully co-operated with both the gardai and the PWS.

He is currently received treatment for his problems and has been attending a psychotherapist. McGlone has been working part-time as a bookkeeper.

But Judge Riordan stressed that the case clearly warranted a custodial sentence.

"This is a very serious matter -- it is very reprehensible," he said.

"There was a severe wrong done here," the judge added.

Judge Riordan jailed McGlone for nine months but agreed to suspend the final three months of the prison term on condition the defendant underwent treatment for his problems while in custody.

Judge Riordan also said that McGlone must co-operate with the PWS and remain under its supervision for 18 months following his release from prison.

McGlone was also warned that he was to have no contact whatsoever with the injured party.

 Ralph Riegel

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/

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