A former Dublin Scout leader who sexually abused six young boys on camping trips in the late 1970s and early 80s has been jailed for four and a half years.

David O'Brien, who's now 63, would unzip the boys' sleeping bags during the night, reach under their pyjamas and fondle them.

O'Brien, of Benburb Street, pleaded guilty to ten counts of indecently assaulting six males in Dublin, Kilkenny and Cork between 1975 and 1980.

He has no previous convictions.

Judge Martin Nolan noted the “harrowing” victim impact reports handed in by the men in which several described being suicidal throughout their lives as a result of O'Brien's abuse. One man called him “a coward, a pervert, a paedophile” and said the scouts were “nothing more than a hunting ground for (O'Brien's) depraved pleasure.”

The judge observed that the offences took place in the 70s and early 80s and that the maximum sentence that could be handed down for any individual offence was two years because of the law that was in force at the time.

However he said it was within the court's discretion to impose consecutive sentences “when justice demands it.” He imposed three consecutive sentences of two years and suspended the final 18 months, meaning an effective jail sentence of four and a half years.

The judge said O'Brien had used his position of trust and authority to abuse the boys and that the offences were planned and premeditated.

He took into account that O'Brien has lead a “somewhat torturous existence” since the abuse and that he lives in a hostel “in social isolation.”

Gda White told Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting, that gardaí and the HSE were notified by O'Brien's counsellor after he admitted sexually abusing young boy scouts over 30 years ago.

She said the now adult victims were contacted and each gave garda statements in 2014.

She agreed with Michael Bowman SC, defending, that O'Brien leads an isolated life, is a chronic alcoholic and has had “a multiplicity of inpatient stays” at psychiatric institutions.

The garda further agreed that O'Brien, a former postman, suffered a breakdown in his 30s and had not abused boys since the 1980s.

One male, now aged 52, read a moving Victim Impact Statement to the court in which he described how he has battled with depression, addiction and social anxiety for decades as a result of the abuse.

He graphically depicted O'Brien's assaults and said he had been suicidal and had suffered nightmares and sleepless nights for decades.

He added: “I just want one fucking day without David O'Brien.”

Another man took the witness box to read his Victim Impact Statement, in which he described himself as a “survivor” with stability now at the age of 50.

He revealed he had been suicidal and had a “lifelong struggle” with depression and alcohol, but he “takes some comfort” that O'Brien will be jailed.

Ms Small read the Victim Impact Statement of a third man, now 47-years-old, who didn't wish to take the witness stand.

In the statement, the man also described himself as a survivor and outlined how he had spent time as an inpatient after being suicidal on several occasions.

The man said O'Brien could have targeted him because he was a “shy, quiet child”.

Mr Bowman submitted to Judge Nolan that O'Brien had been sexually assaulted in his youth by a man at St Stephen's Green and abused by a clergyman in an educational setting.

Counsel said his client has never had romantic partner, is “very troubled” by his offences and lives in isolation in hostel accommodation.

Mr Bowman asked the judge to take into account that O'Brien had driven the investigation forward, that he had shown insight into his crimes and is genuinely remorseful.