Patrick Gageby SC, defending, told the Central Criminal Court sentence hearing on Monday that Gibney (78) now accepts his guilt.

Gibney (now 77) appeared in court in a wheelchair - a much-diminished figure from the coach who once dominated the world of Irish swimming

At a sentencing on Wednesday, Justice Melanie Greally referred to O’Rourke’s previous convictions and described him as “a serial child abuser”.

Matthew Coward (32) pleaded guilty to three counts of the sexual exploitation and three counts of production of child pornography