CYRIL MAXWELL INDICTED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN CO CLARE AND FERGUS

 |  Red Rose Database

Co Clare Fergus Sexual Abuser
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Co Clare and Fergus, Cyril Maxwell, a 69-year-old man, was convicted of multiple counts of indecent assault against a young boy. The incidents, which occurred between 1968 and 1970, involved a 12-year-old victim and spanned over a two-year period during which Maxwell's abuse reportedly intensified.

Maxwell, who resides in Co Clare, pleaded guilty to the charges and was subsequently sentenced by Judge Carroll Moran at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on May 14, 2012. The court handed down a four-year suspended sentence, a decision that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) challenged, seeking a harsher punishment. However, the Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Seán Ryan, dismissed the appeal, maintaining that the original sentence was within the judge’s discretion and did not constitute a significant departure from the norm.

During the proceedings, Mr Justice Ryan highlighted that Maxwell was between 23 and 25 years old at the time of the offenses. The judge acknowledged the severity of the abuse, describing it as reaching a grave level, and noted that the assault had become increasingly serious over time. An additional complication in the case involved allegations related to the crime of buggery, but the court clarified that the sentencing was based solely on the counts of indecent assault.

One of the notable aspects of Maxwell’s case was his physical condition. Mr Justice Ryan revealed that Maxwell has a chromosome abnormality affecting his sex drive, or libido. The defendant had been undergoing treatment with medication—referred to as “libido repressant” medication—for 25 years prior to the court proceedings. This physical idiosyncrasy was considered during sentencing, and Maxwell’s ongoing treatment was acknowledged as part of his profile.

Adding a tragic dimension to the case, the court heard that Maxwell himself was a victim of sexual abuse at the age of nine. Mr Justice Ryan described this as a disturbing feature of the case, reflecting a broader and troubling pattern within society.

Despite the conviction, Maxwell’s presence in the community remained a concern. Prior to his sentencing, he was seen frequenting a family centre in Newmarket on Fergus, which also housed a creche, an after-school program, and a youth café. Local residents and staff had expressed their worries about his presence, especially given his criminal history. Although he was not legally barred from attending the centre at that time, community members felt uneasy and expressed relief when Maxwell did not appear at a scheduled meeting of the Going Strong group shortly after his conviction.

The controversy surrounding Maxwell’s activities extended back to September 2010, when he admitted to having engaged in buggery with the same boy during the late 1960s. However, a recent legal ruling by the Supreme Court declared that the offence of buggery committed before 1993 was no longer prosecutable, effectively rendering Maxwell a free man in relation to that specific charge. Despite this, the community’s concern about his presence and the potential risk to children remains a significant issue.

Maxwell’s front garden is notably decorated with a life-sized statue of two young children, a boy and a girl, which has been a point of discussion among local residents. The case continues to evoke strong reactions from the community, highlighting the ongoing challenges of addressing past abuses and ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations in Co Clare and Fergus.
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