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A retired sergeant major in the Defence Forces sexually assaulted a young Army private on numerous occasions after the victim was summoned to his superior's office to talk about the trauma he suffered after discovering his sister's still-birth, a court has heard.

Patrick Devereux called the 18-year-old soldier to see him to talk about that incident and another where he was held up at syringe point at an ATM machine. The victim was seriously affected by both events. Devereux told him that he would make life in the Army very difficult for him unless he co-operated. He summoned the private to his office a number of times a week and fondle his genitalia.