Former Olympic coach George Gibbery to be sentenced for historic abuse

Former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney will be sentenced tomorrow after a jury found him guilty of 39 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape of four girls between 1971 and 1981.

The victims described Gibney as a “manipulative, brazen, cowardly predator”. The abuse occurred at several sites, including Glenalbyn Swimming Pool in Stillorgan and the Trojans Swim Club at Newpark Sports Centre, Co Dublin, which he established in 1976.

Gibney also assaulted the girls in his car while giving them lifts to training, in his home while they were babysitting his children, and, for two complainants, in their own homes.

Extradited from the United States last year, the former national swim coach, now in his late 70s, has told the court that he accepts the jury’s verdicts and will not appeal the convictions.

Gibney, who resides on Breakwater Drive, Altamonte Springs, Florida, had previously fled to America to avoid prosecution in Ireland.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Pixabay / Pexels.