Former swimming coach George Gibney jailed for 15½ years for abusing four girls
Former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney has been sentenced to 15 and a half years in prison for the sexual abuse of four girls during the 1970s and 1980s. The judge cited the predatory nature of the crimes and the abuse of authority as key factors in the sentencing.
Why it matters
This case highlights the long-term pursuit of justice for victims of systemic abuse in sports organizations and the removal of historical reporting restrictions.
Former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney has been jailed for more than 15 years for the sexual abuse of four girls in the 1970s and 1980s.
In July, a Central Criminal Court jury found Gibney guilty of 39 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape of children.
The jury acquitted him of one count of indecently assaulting one of the complainants on a date between 1976 and 1977.
Sentencing Gibney on Monday, Judge Mícheál O’Higgins imposed an aggregate sentence of 16 years and eight months, with 14 months suspended. This results in a sentence of 15 years and six months in prison.
Gibney (78) had only been referred to as a “sports coach” during the trial due to reporting restrictions, but these were removed after the guilty verdict, meaning he could be named.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in