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Former swimming coach George Gibney has been found guilty of the sexual abuse of four young girls, including attempting to rape one of them.
The offences took place in the 1970s and 1980s.
A jury sitting at the Central Criminal Court returned its verdicts this afternoon after deliberating for more than seven hours.
Gibney, who is now aged 77 years, was originally charged with 79 counts related to sexual misconduct and pleaded guilty to five of these at the beginning of his trial.
He had maintained his innocence in respect of 73 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape.
The Prosecution.
Prosecuting counsel James Dwyer SC argued that Gibney had “exploited his position of authority” by targeting young girls entrusted to his care to sexually abuse.
The abuse took place in various locations in South Dublin, including swimming facilities in Stillorgan and Blackrock.
Other locations where Gibney abused the girls included his car while giving them lifts, in the beds of some, and in his own home when two of the victims were babysitting for him.
On one occasion, he attempted to rape a 12-year-old girl in a changing facility.
One of the victims said Gibney began his sexual assault on her when she was aged 13 at a Disco in Newpark, when he led her by the hand into an office before pushing her against his desk and kissing and touching her. She said she could vividly remember the assault down to what she had been wearing at the time.
On another occasion when he assaulted her in his office, she described being able to see her mother waiting for her from the window, and how she kept it hidden out of not wanting to hurt her.
The second victim described how swimming had been her life until Gibney assaulted her in a changing room at Newpark. When she was around 11-years of age, she said he assaulted her while she was babysitting for him.
This complainant described feeling “ashamed” about the abuse and eventually giving up swimming before returning to it later in life.
The third victim said she was aged between eight and nine years old when the abuse began and that it lasted for over four years.
She said that her abuser would use any excuse to “put his hands on your body” and would readjust straps and put his fingers under swim gear.
The abuse of this complainant escalated from kissing to inappropriate touching, and from digital penetration to forced masturbation and oral sex. During the trial, she described Gibney forcing her to perform oral sex on him.
After Gibney attempted to rape her in a changing room when she was 12 in 1975, she left swimming.
“You’re too ugly anyway”
A fourth victim described how she had told Gibney to take his hands off her, or she would tell her father, before he told her words to the effect of “You’re too ugly anyway”.
She described how he had put his hand on her knee while giving her a lift when she was 13 years of age.
The court heard that Gibney responded with words along the lines of “you’re too ugly anyway” before starting the car.
The accused was remanded in custody pending sentencing at a later date.
Chief Executive of the Rape Crisis Centre, Rachel Morrogh, welcomed the conviction, saying she wished to “recognise the long, painful and incredibly courageous journey to justice taken by his victims.”
“George Gibney exploited children who demonstrated sporting excellence. He abused, threatened and debased them. Like so many perpetrators of child sex abuse, he was hidden in plain sight, yet it has taken over 50 years for him to face justice,” she said.
“We thank those in court, their supporters, the members of the justice system and so many other people who have made today a reality. We should also recognise the powerful role played by the podcasting team in Second Captains, who created ‘Where is George Gibney’, a dogged and painstakingly researched piece of radio which brought this issue to the public’s attention again in recent years, as well as all the remarkable survivors and allies who contributed to it.
“And to all the victims and survivors who weren’t in court today, and to those who may never go to court, to those who spoke out and to those who have yet to find the words, we hope this conviction offers comfort and vindication. We want you to know that Dublin Rape Crisis Centre sees you, we believe you, and we are here to support you, whenever you are ready,” she concluded.
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