A FORMER Fermanagh man is awaiting sentencing in July for historic sexual offences. 

Ronan Farrell (60) appeared at Newry Crown Court on Thursday, June 20. 

A jury previously convicted Farrell on seven counts of indecently assaulting a male child over various dates between 1982 and 1984.

Verdicts were unable to be reached on the remaining matters.

Farrell was due to be sentenced by Judge Bagnall on Thursday of last week, but she ordered that the case be adjourned until Tuesday, July 2, when the case is listed for sentencing. 

A previous sitting of Dungannon Crown Court in Newry heard Farrell was aged about 20 at the time and worked in the same County Fermanagh business as the victim’s father.

Sometimes the child would accompany his father to work in the mornings before heading off to his school which was close-by.

On these days he would wait in one of the offices used by Farrell whom the victim accepted he found to be “cool” by the way he dressed and because he had an impressive watch and a Swiss Army Knife.

It was here Farrell began to talk to him about pictures of women he had on the walls of his office and had what the victim called “soft-porn magazines.”

The abuse began when Farrell kissed the boy on the lips and he recalled the taste of cigarettes.
On another occasion Farrell again kissed him and touched his genitals.

The level of abuse increased to Farrell carrying out sexual acts boy and having him engaging in oral sex.

Farrell was previously ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register and the duration of how long he will remain on this will be decided at sentencing.