Former swim coach George Gibney sentenced to 15½ years for historic abuse

Former Irish swim coach George Gibney has been sentenced to 15 years and six months in prison for the sexual abuse of four young swimmers in the 1970s and 1980s.

Mr Justice Mícheál O’Higgins, speaking in the Central Criminal Court, described Gibney as a “manipulative predator” who exploited his position of authority to assault defenseless children. The judge noted that the offences formed a “pattern of systemic offending” that violated the rights of the victims over a lengthy period.

Gibney, now 78, was found guilty by a jury of 39 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape relating to the four complainants, who are now in their 60s. He also pleaded guilty to a further five counts of indecent assault at the start of the trial.

The abuse occurred at several sites, including Glenalbyn swimming pool in Stillorgan and the Trojans swim club at Newpark Sports Centre, Blackrock, Co Dublin, which Gibney founded in 1976. Victims reported abuse in his car, his home while babysitting his children, and in their own homes, involving kissing, inappropriate touching, digital penetration and forced oral sex.

Sentencing reflected the maximum penalties in force at the time of the offences. Gibney received a headline term of 12 years for the attempted rape, reduced to 10 years on health grounds, followed by a consecutive term of six years and eight months for the indecent assaults, with the final 14 months suspended.

Gibney, who was extradited from the United States last year, showed no emotion as he was led from the court in a wheelchair. The complainants were seen crying and embracing each other after the verdict.

Source: Dublin Gazette. Photo: Jeffry Surianto / Pexels.