"My intention was to help a human in a dark place."
Cork hurling star Donal Óg Cusack has admitted on Twitter that he was the character reference presented to the court during the trial of Tom Humphries.
In early October, it was revealed in the Dublin District Court that Humphries, a former Irish Times journalist, had sent over 16,000 text messages to a teenage girl, whom he had groomed and sexually abused in 2010 and 2011.
Humphries had admitted guilty to six different offences, including including the sexual defilement and exploitation of a child.
During his sentencing hearing, two character references were presented to the court, one from another sports journalist, later confirmed to be The Sunday Times writer David Walsh, and one from a prominent GAA player.
Over the weekend, Donal Óg Cusack took to Twitter to admit that he was the GAA player mentioned, and made a statement regarding the case.
"I am the sportsman reference as having written a character reference in the Tom Humphries case. I absolutely condemn the crimes he has committed. I cannot begin to imagine the terrible suffering of the victim. I apologise for any hurt or offence caused by my action. My intention was to help a human in a dark place who asked me for help. I showed a lack of judgement in this situation for which I am genuinely sorry. I will not make making any further comment and wish to let Justice take its course."
