Derry Crown Court has heard that a 51-year-old man who confessed to sexually abusing two girls was extradited from the Republic of Ireland 10 years after making the admissions.
Martin Shiels, with an address at Union Place in Sligo, pleaded guilty to 34 charges including 21 counts of indecent assault on a female and 13 counts of gross indecency with a child.
The offences took place between 1990 and 2001.
A prosecutor asked for further time to consider a 35th charge against Shiels.
Steven Mooney, defence counsel, said told the court Shiels had gone to the police in 2006 and made a ‘full confession’ as he was ‘keen to get some closure’ after committing the offences.
The police then had to contact the injured parties.
Shiels was only extradited from the Republic in January this year, a decade after he handed himself in and made the admissions to perpetrating child sex abuse.
The injured parties, who are now adults, have since made statements to police confirming Shiels confession.
A pre-sentence report was ordered and Shiels was remanded in custody.
The matter will be back before the court again on June 10.
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 07825 711978. Or you can email john.gill@derrynews.net at any time.