Serial abuser has sentence increased
A serial sex abuser who was a member of a paedophile ring in the Cobh area of Co Cork had his jail time increased today as the latest case against him came up for sentencing.
Patrick Collins (aged 58) of Belmont Place, Cobh, Co Cork, is serving 10 years for the buggery of four boys. Today another six months was added to that sentence and his personal details are to be placed on a sex offenders register for the next 10 years.
Judge Sean O’Donnabhain said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court today that Collins had been described to him as a serial sex abuser.
Sergeant John Quinn said today, “Patrick Collins was a member of a paedophile ring operating in the Cobh area. Our enquiries have led us to believe he was deeply involved.”
His sexual crimes were committed from the 1970’s to the 1990’s.
At one stage in the evidence given by Sgt. Quinn, defence senior counsel Tom Creed asked, “Have you anything good to say about Patrick Collins?” Sgt. Quinn replied: “He pleaded guilty.”
The victim in the latest case was only seven years old when he was sexually assaulted by Collins on two occasions in and around 1993.
The first offence occurred at Collin’s house. He asked the boy to come up to his bedroom to look at old coins. Then he offered him one pound for the boy to let Collins rub his penis.
The second offence occurred at a beach in Cobh when the boy came out of the water and Collins approached him and put his hand inside the boy’s togs to rub his penis.
The boy’s father said yesterday that his son was devastated by what happened to him. He had a bad time with male teachers in school.
Now studying in England, he is 18 and beginning to get on a bit better with his life.
