DEPRAVED PAEDO WHO ABUSED 2 LITTLE GIRLS IS JAILED

Former Defence Forces soldier is unmasked for 1980s sex assaults

- DAVID RALEIGH

THIS is Eddie Lillis, a retired member of the Defence Forces who was unmasked yesterday as a “depraved paedophile” who preyed upon and sexually assaulted two little girls 40 years ago.

Lillis was jailed for three and half years at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court after he denied sexually abusing the two girls, who were aged between three and eight, when he groomed and abused them in the 1980s.

Judge Colin Daly lifted a court order restricting the media from identifying Lillis, 63, of Shannonvale, Old Cratloe Road, Limerick.

STATEMENT

Shortly after Lillis sexually assaulted his first victim, Girl A, she told her mother what happened and gave a formal statement to the Gardai. However the Director of Public Prosecutions at the time directed that there was not enough evidence to prosecute him.

Lillis then went on to abuse Girl B, the court heard.

However, four decades later, in 2020, after Girl A made another complaint and gardai received a separate complaint from Girl B, the case was re-investigated and the DPP ordered a trial.

Lillis pleaded not guilty to all charges.