Cork legend Dónal Óg Cusack has revealed that he was one of the people to offer a character reference for Tom Humphries.
Back in early October, it was revealed in the Dublin District Court that Humphries, a former Irish Times journalist, had sent over 16,000 text messages to a teenage girl, whom he had groomed and sexually abused in 2010 and 2011.
Humphries had pleaded guilty to six different offences, including the sexual defilement and exploitation of a child.
Two character references were presented in court – one from Sunday Times journalist David Walsh and the other from Dónal Óg Cusack.
Cusack, now with the Clare coaching setup, admitted on Saturday night that he was the other person to offer a character reference and, whilst he recognises that his decision showed a ‘lack of judgement’, he says his intentions were to help someone in a dark place.
“I am the sportsman referenced as having written a character reference in the Tom Humphries case,” Cusack revealed in a statement.
“I absolutely condemn the crimes he has committed. I cannot begin to imagine the terrible suffering of the victim. I apologise for any hurt or offence caused by my action.
“My intention was to help a human in a dark place who asked me for help.
“I showed a lack of judgement in this situation for which I am genuinely sorry.
“I will not be making any further comment and wish to let justice take its course.”
It can be said that justice had already taken its course with the guilty verdict and all the character references could’ve helped with was the sentencing.
Humphries will be sentenced on October 24.
— Dónal Óg Cusack (@DonalOgC) October 14, 2017
