Peadophile swim coach George Gibney jailed for 15 years

The new case was sparked by a hit BBC podcast by Mark Horgan.

The abuse took place in Dublin, in Glenalbyn swimming pools, Stillorgan, and Newpark Sports Centre, Blackrock.

The victims, aged between eight and 13, were abused by Gibney in his car when he gave them lifts to swimming practice.

Two sisters were abused in Gibney's home while they were babysitters for his children.

The abuse included forced sex acts.

Gibney was found guilty in July of 39 counts of indecent assault in and one count of attempted rape of children in the Central Criminal Court.

Sentencing Gibney on Monday, Judge Mícheál O’Higgins sentence of 16 years and eight months, with 14 months suspended. A sentence of 15 years and six months in prison. Gibney is 78.

The four women gave victim impact statements at a sentencing hearing in July. One described Gibney as a “manipulative, brazen, cowardly predator”.

Another woman described having to see the former Olympic swimming coach being “hero-worshipped” by the establishment after he had abused her, and said that the world would now know him as a “convicted, serial paedophile”. 

Judge Mícheál O’Higgins took note of the young ages of the victims, and how he used his position in sport to assault.

Mitigating factors included Gibney’s age, his failing health, the fact that he did not oppose extradition from the United States, where he had been living. and his guilty plea.

After a trial against Gibney was called off in 1993, he left Ireland and moved to Edinburgh. Later he moved to the US, first to Colorado, then Orlando, Florida.

After a 10-part BBC podcast series, produced by Mark Horgan named 'Where is George Gibney?' was released, four women, who were not involved in the early 1990s case, came forward and spoke to Gardai.

Gibney had initially been charged with 79 counts. He pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault at the beginning of the trial.